Logo link to homepage

Report on St. Helens (United States) — 3 May-9 May 2006


St. Helens

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 3 May-9 May 2006
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2006. Report on St. Helens (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 3 May-9 May 2006. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (3 May-9 May 2006)

St. Helens

United States

46.2°N, 122.18°W; summit elev. 2549 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 4-8 May, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. The dome-building eruption that began in October 2004 continued at the same pace as in previous weeks, accompanied by low background levels of seismicity and other eruption indicators. A GPS (Global Positioning System) instrument on the new lava dome W of the vent continued to move W nearly 1 m per day. St. Helens remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.

Geological Summary. Prior to 1980, Mount St. Helens was a conical 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 breached crater now partially filled by a lava dome. There have been nine major eruptive periods beginning about 40-50,000 years ago, and it 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. Eruptions in the 19th century originated from the Goat Rocks area on the N flank, and were witnessed by early settlers.

Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)