Mt. Fitzherbert

Recent Observations: The swarm of small, shallow earthquakes between Mount Shasta and Medicine Lake volcanoes that started on August 7 has stopped. The location and character of these earthquakes were consistent with a tectonic (non-volcanic) origin. However, because the swarm occurred in an area of scattered volcanic vents, we will continue to monitor the area closely. Volcano seismicity at Mount St. Helens has remained quiet, although several seismometers near Crater Glacier are recording small 'ice quakes' resulting from glacier movement. At Mount St. Helens this week, field crews performed maintenance on seismic stations and deployed targets for precision calibration of aerial photographs used in monitoring the crater. Hot, dry conditions and high winds have resulted in intermittently noticeable clouds of blowing ash within the crater and just above the crater rim, which could continue under current weather conditions.