Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 17-22 August accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Growth of the lava dome continued to spawn rockfalls, which produced ash plumes that occasionally rose above the rim. A large rockfall on 21 August at 2056 generated a bright glow of hot rock and a thick ash plume that temporarily affected radio transmissions from instruments in the crater. St Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.

Geological Summary. Prior to 1980, Mount St. Helens formed a conical, youthful volcano sometimes known as the Fujisan of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 400 m of the summit was removed by slope failure, leaving a 2 x 3.5 km horseshoe-shaped crater now partially filled by a lava dome. Mount St. Helens was formed during nine eruptive periods beginning about 40-50,000 years ago and has been the most active volcano in the Cascade Range during the Holocene. Prior to 2,200 years ago, tephra, lava domes, and pyroclastic flows were erupted, forming the older edifice, but few lava flows extended beyond the base of the volcano. The modern edifice consists of basaltic as well as andesitic and dacitic products from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions in the 19th century originated from the Goat Rocks area on the north flank, and were witnessed by early settlers.

Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)