Magma oozes into crater of Mount St. Helens

MOUNT ST. HELENS – Magma has reached the surface of the lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens.
The molten rock from beneath the earth made its appearance on Tuesday after geologists said for the past few days that it was just below the lava dome.


The continual steam venting, rising temperatures, an uplifted area just south of the lava dome, and the presence of gases have all been indicators that magma was approaching.


But the magma has oozed onto the surface without much seismic activity or a dramatic eruption. Scientists now believe that Mount St. Helens is in a new lava dome building phase, said geologist Tina Neal of the U.S. Geological Survey.


The new lava dome is rising on the south side of the old lava dome, which was built through eruptive activity between 1980 and 1986.

Not too much change you can see. Check out the Volcano Cam link on the right.