Chance of Mt. St. Helens Eruption Is Set at 70%
The number of small earthquakes at Mt. St. Helens increased while the volcano’s lava crust shifted further, government scientists said, keeping the volcano’s alert status at the second-highest level.
There is a 70% chance of an eruption or explosion of the volcano’s lava crust in the next several days, said Willie Scott, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Any eruption would be small compared to the one that dramatically changed the shape of the mountain in May 1980.
The lava dome that was formed after that eruption has moved 2.5 inches since Monday.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
