Global Volcanism Program

Prior to 1980, Mount St. Helens formed a conical, youthful volcano known as the Fuji-san of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 1400 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 2200 years ago, tephra, lava domes, and pyroclastic flows were erupted, forming the older St. Helens edifice, but few lava flows extended beyond the base of the volcano. The modern edifice was constructed during the last 2200 years, when the volcano produced 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.

Index of Volcanic Activity Reports

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

09/95 (BGVN 20:09) Steady increase in seismicity through 1995

12/95 (BGVN 20:12) Seismicity decreases without any explosive activity

06/96 (BGVN 21:06) Dwindling seismicity

05/98 (BGVN 23:05) Sudden rise in earthquake activity in May

06/98 (BGVN 23:06) Seismicity increases further; magmatic CO₂ detected

07/98 (BGVN 23:07) Earthquakes, but CO₂ flux returns to normal

Complete Contents of Volcanic Activity Reports

All information contained in these reports is preliminary and subject to change.

No explosions or gas-and-ash emissions occurred from the lava dome between 1 January and 30 September 1995. Seismic activity was still low, but the number of small-magnitude (M <1) earthquakes beneath the crater increased slowly but steadily from <10 events/month in January to ~100 events/month in September (figure 7). This increase is very small compared to the seismicity before each of the explosive and dome-building eruptions between 1980 and 1986, when intense seismicity at <3.2 km depth was clearly associated with rising magma. In contrast, the recent earthquakes were smaller and originated at depths of 1.5-10 km.

Figure 7. Seismicity at Mount St. Helens, January 1986-September 1995. A high concentration of earthquake activity at <3.2 km depth accompanied dome-building eruptions on 8 May 1986, and 21 October 1986 (solid arrows). Dashed arrows between 1989 and 1991 correspond to six gas explosions from the dome. Note that 0 depth is referenced to 1.5 km below the current summit. Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.

This same zone of seismic activity became active in late 1987, about 2 years before the 1989-91 steam explosions began, and it presumably marks the approximate location of the magma conduit system. Those relatively small explosions hurled dome rocks as large as 30-40 cm in diameter at least 800 m from the dome and produced ash plumes as high as ~6 km above sea level. Detailed study of the 1987-91 seismicity and the 1989-91 explosions suggests that both occurred in response to increased pressure in the conduit system.

One possible cause for the pressure increase is that volcanic gas (primarily water vapor) became concentrated along the conduit system as a consequence of the progressive cooling and crystallization of magma. This increased pressure would likely lead to increased rock fracturing immediately surrounding the conduit system, as well as to intermittent sudden gas release. In addition, downward growth of cracks and fractures in the dome during and immediately after periods of intense precipitation could trigger gas explosions when such fractures intersect pressurized areas; many but not all of the 1989-91 explosions followed periods of heavy rainfall. Another possible cause for the pressure increase is intrusion of new magma into the lower depths of the conduit system. There is no evidence, however, that any magma has approached the surface during 1995. Regardless of the cause, it seems likely that the change in seismicity reflects a renewed increase in pressure along the magma conduit system.

Because the 1989-91 steam explosions were not preceded by any specific short-term warning signs, the similarity of the current seismicity raises concerns that future small dome explosions could occur without additional warning. Experience with the 1989-91 explosions, as well as explosions during the years of dome growth, suggests that they would produce hazards primarily within the crater, to a lesser degree in the stream channels leading from the crater, and to an even smaller degree on the upper flanks of the volcano. These hazards could include the impact of ejected dome rocks and rapidly moving pyroclastic flows sweeping the crater floor. During the 5 February 1991 explosion, a small pyroclastic flow reached the N edge of the crater. Heat from a rock avalanche or pyroclastic flow could also generate a lahar in the crater and in channels leading from the crater. Also, gas explosions could generate dilute but visible ash plumes perhaps as high as 6 km above the volcano and light ashfall as far as ~160 km downwind.

Information Contacts: Dan Dzurisin, Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661 USA; Steve Malone, Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA. URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html.

During October-December there were no explosions or gas-and-ash emissions from the lava dome, and no explosion-like seismicity was detected. Surveys of the lava dome indicated that deformation rates have remained at background levels. No increase in deformation of the dome occurred as a consequence of the recent earthquake activity, but the NW side of the dome continued to move downward very slowly as it has since a series of small explosions between 1989 and 1991. Periods of intense rainfall in November generated several lahars from the crater. All of the lahars were detected by the USGS real-time acoustic-flow network and probably flowed into Spirit Lake. Such lahars are common during intense rainfall following the dry summer months.

The number of small-magnitude (M <1) earthquakes beneath the crater decreased slowly from nearly 100/month in September (Bulletin v. 20, no. 9) to ~25/month in December. Seismicity at the end of December was similar to the first 6 months of 1995. The gradual decrease in seismicity, combined with the lack of small explosions related to the September increase, has lowered the concern of scientists monitoring the volcano. Small dome explosions are still possible, but their likelihood is no greater early in 1995.

Information Contacts: Dan Dzurisin, Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661 USA (URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/framework.html); Steve Malone, Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA (URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/ home.html).

No eruptive activity occurred during the first half of 1996, and a trend of declining seismicity since October 1995 continued. Thus far in 1996 monthly earthquake totals have been: January, 14; February, 13; March, 17; April, 16; May, 11; and June, 10 (figure 11). At 1651 on 21 February, an M 2.4 earthquake occurred ~4 km beneath the crater floor; this was followed by four locatable aftershocks and then by ~20 very small seismic events that resembled signals typical of rock or snow avalanches. These later events were shallow, apparently triggered by the M 2.4 earthquake that preceded them. Activity returned to normal within a few hours. Except for that on 21 February, the rest of the earthquakes from January to June did not exceed M 2.0. During the night of 9 June, a large seismic event from the volcano triggered an automated, 24-hour alarm system. The character of the signal suggested that the source was a rockfall from the crater wall. This interpretation was confirmed when a USGS crew working in the crater on 11 June observed a large fresh rockfall deposit that originated from the S crater wall. Rockfalls are a common occurrence in the crater during the summer, and generally do not indicate any increase in volcanic activity.

Figure 11. Plot of focal depth versus time for earthquakes at Mount St. Helens, July 1995-June 1996. Courtesy of the Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey.

Information Contacts: Dan Dzurisin, Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661 USA (URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/msh/framework.html); Steve Malone, Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA (URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html).

The level of earthquake activity at Mount St. Helens had been gradually increasing over the past several months and accelerated during May. Rates of activity increased from an average of ~60 well-located events per month last winter to 165 events in May. Most of the recent earthquakes were very small with only three events larger than M 2. The largest earthquake was on 1 May with M 2.2. These earthquakes occurred in two clusters directly beneath the lava dome in the crater. One cluster was in the range of 2-5 km and the other 7-9 km below the dome. Very few events were located in the very shallow region of 0-2 km below the dome. None of the earthquakes were low-frequency volcanic events that typically occur as precursors to major eruptions.

This increased activity seems to be similar to that which occurred in 1995, although the activity of May 1998 was more energetic. The 1995 activity lasted for several months, had a maximum earthquake rate of 95 events per month, and resulted in no volcanic activity. A similar increase in earthquake activity in the St. Helens system occurred in 1989-91. However, at that time there were also a number of very shallow earthquakes accompanied by a series of sudden steam explosions. These explosions were small eruptions of steam and gas that ejected rocks and ash from cracks in the dome. Rocks were thrown up to 1 km from the dome, ash clouds reached altitudes up to 6 km, and a dusting of ash was deposited locally downwind. Some explosions melted snow in the crater and generated small lahars that flowed N onto the Pumice Plain.

Because increased earthquake activity within the deep St. Helens system may reflect increased pressure at depth, it is possible that the current seismicity may eventually lead to renewed volcanic activity. However, it is unlikely to do so without significant additional precursors.

Information Contacts: Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661 USA (URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/msh/framework.html); Geophysics Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA (URL: http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS/PNSN/HELENS/).

The number of well-located earthquakes at Mount St. Helens had increased from an average of ~60 per month last winter, to 165 in May, to 318 in June. However, the June earthquakes were very small: only 11 events were larger than M 1 and the largest was M 1.8. Hence, the total seismic-energy release for June was about the same as that of May. Earthquakes continued to occur chiefly in two depth clusters directly beneath the lava dome in the crater. One cluster was 2-5 km below the dome, the other in the depth range of 7-9 km. Almost no events were located in the very shallow region (0-2 km below the dome). The Cascades Volcano Observatory began providing daily updates showing plots of the number of events and amount of seismic energy registered. The plots are available through the observatory web site.

In response to the increased seismicity, USGS scientists also increased broad-based monitoring in June. An airborne gas survey revealed the presence of magmatic CO₂. Because it is heavier than air, CO₂ can concentrate in surface depressions in the dome or crater floor, especially under calm conditions, and can pose an asphyxiation hazard. Poorly ventilated cavities, such as caves in the mass of snow and ice that is accumulating behind the dome, could also be hazardous.

A network of surveying targets was established on the lava dome, crater floor, and lower flanks of the volcano to detect any ground movements that might occur in response to changes beneath the volcano. No significant movement occurred at any of the targets on the N flank of the dome between the first measurements on 5 June and a follow-up survey on 29 June. Additional measurements of survey targets will be repeated periodically for the foreseeable future.

The increased number of earthquakes and the release of CO₂ probably reflect replenishment of the magma reservoir, a body whose top is thought to lie ~7 km below the crater. Replenishment could lead to magmatic eruptions but scientists don't know how much replenishment has occurred, or how much is necessary to renew magmatic eruptions. However, such eruptions are unlikely without a significant increase in precursory activity. Owing to the recent unrest, the probability of small steam explosions from the dome, like those that occurred between 1989 and 1991, has increased slightly. Concern will be heightened greatly if shallow seismicity increases.

Information Contact: William E. Scott, Cascades Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661, USA (Email: wescott @usgs.gov; URL: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html).

The rate of earthquake activity, which accelerated markedly from May through mid-July, (Bulletin v. 23, nos. 5-6) returned in August to a level similar to that of last winter. The number of well-located earthquakes in July was 445, compared to 318 in June, but most of the earthquakes that took place during July occurred during the first three weeks of the month. The average rate for the first two weeks of August was only about four well-located earthquakes per day. Several temporary increases in earthquake activity have occurred since the last dome-building eruption in October 1986. This recent episode was the most intense.

Airborne gas surveys revealed that magmatic carbon dioxide (CO₂) decreased since June. However escaping CO₂ was still measurable. The CO₂ was probably being released from magma that entered the magma reservoir during the past few months. The reservoir's top was estimated to be about 7 km below the crater. Because CO₂ is heavier than air, it can concentrate in surface depressions on the dome or crater floor, especially under calm conditions, and pose an asphyxiation hazard. Poorly ventilated cavities, such as caves in the mass of snow and ice behind the dome, could be hazardous.

Volcanoes of the World

St. Helens

Volcanic Activity Reports

St. Helens

Washington, USA

46.20°N, 122.18°W; summit elev. 2,549 m

All times are local (= UTC - 8 hours)

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Complete Contents of Volcanic Activity Reports

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