NATION : Mt. St. Helens Blows Off Steam
VANCOUVER, Wash. —
Mt. St. Helens shot off a plume of steam and gritty volcanic ash that rose to an elevation of 18,000 feet today, but it was not expected to pose any hazard, scientists said.
Rick Benson, research scientist at the University of Washington Geophysics Laboratory in Seattle, said the plume above the 8,366-foot volcano quickly began to dissipate after the 7:47 a.m. explosion, as did associated seismic activity within the mountain in southwestern Washington.
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