From KPTV.com
10-04-04
UPDATED: 9:45am
MOUNT ST. HELENS NATIONAL MONUMENT, Wash. -- Another small steam eruption is under way at Mount St. Helens.
A small billowing cloud is visible over the rim of the volcano's crater. It's moving slowly to the northeast. The eruption is confirmed by US Geological Survey scientist Willie Scott.
The clouds appears to be mostly white. Scott says whatever ash is in it will probably fall in the crater and on the mountain itself.
There was another small steam burst at 10:40 last night and earthquakes indicate the volcano is active.
US Geological Survey scientist Tom Pierson says the lava dome in the crater of Mount Saint Helens has lifted 50-to-100 feet.
Scientists are uncertain how explosive Mount Saint Helens may be. They say it could throw up a column of ash or it could ooze lava into the crater.
The alert remains at the highest level because scientists say an eruption is imminent.
The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted aircraft over the volcano to a height of 13,000 feet. That will keep small planes out of the way of an eruption. It does not restrict commercial airline routes.
Scientists do not expect much impact outside the remote, unpopulated area around the volcano in southwest Washington.
KPTV.com will have more details as soon as they are available.
The volcano is in the middle of an eruption and they report "earthquakes indicate the volcano is active." Who writes this stuff???