Mt. Fitzherbert

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. -- Weeks or months of occasional steam blasts and possibly some eruptions of fresh volcanic rock and ash are the most likely scenario at Mount St. Helens, scientists say.

CASTLE LAKE VIEWPOINT, near Mount St. Helens — With three explosions of steam and ash in less than a week, Mount St. Helens appears to have entered a restless new stage that could last weeks, months or possibly years, scientists said yesterday.

MOUNT ST. HELENS NATIONAL MONUMENT, Wash. - Small earthquakes continued overnight at Mount St. Helens. But the level of seismicity is lower than in recent days. Scientists are watching closely to see if there will be another steam burst or perhaps a larger eruption of the volcano.

VANCOUVER -- With its third and by far most dramatic blast in four days, Mount St. Helens on Tuesday was declared by U.S. officials to be remaking itself and that the release of churning, ash-laden plumes may well become routine in the coming weeks or months.

Geologist Willie Scott was discussing overnight activity on Mount St. Helens when he got sidetracked Monday by a volcanic interruption.

The volcano released a burst of steam about 9:47 a.m., just as Scott was briefing reporters about Sunday night's release of steam and ash. Scientists didn't want to label Monday morning's steam emission as an eruption because, unlike earlier events on Friday and Sunday, it involved little or no ash. Monday morning's steam plume was followed by two others at 2:15 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.

RANDLE, WASH. - Outside the Highway Junction Thrift Store, a thin film of gritty ash coated the bottom of a Mount St. Helens coffee mug.