By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.
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![Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/youtube-5wR4HAUMyPU.jpg?itok=wbbf9V1h)
By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.
![Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/youtube-tZAcw339pBI.jpg?itok=lmwaymAs)
On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.
On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.
![Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/youtube-mp7cqti2wx4.jpg?itok=qmaKDTUv)
After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.
After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.
![Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/youtube-R2IlJPqaXTQ.jpg?itok=kY8MuvSr)
Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich. Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.
Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich. Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.
On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.
On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.
Video Presentation and Discussion
Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist
See-
Video Presentation and Discussion
Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist
See-
New Estimates of Earthquake Hazard and Risk Across the Bay Region
By Michael Blanpied, Geophysicist
New Estimates of Earthquake Hazard and Risk Across the Bay Region
By Michael Blanpied, Geophysicist
![Fluid lava leaks from inside crusted front of cascade](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/20030107-0733.png?itok=fFrvu_fS)
Fluid lava leaks from inside crusted front of cascade.
Fluid lava leaks from inside crusted front of cascade.
Breaking and tumbling crust on slabby flow front.
Breaking and tumbling crust on slabby flow front.
![PubTalk 12/2002 — Hawai`i's Volcanoes—Never a Dull Moment](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/dec02thumb.jpg?itok=8wEuA_AK)
20 Years of Eruption at Kilauea and Waiting for Mauna Loa
by Don Swanson,Volcanologist, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
20 Years of Eruption at Kilauea and Waiting for Mauna Loa
by Don Swanson,Volcanologist, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
![PubTalk 10/2002 — Plumbing the Mysteries of the San Andreas Fault](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/oct02thumb.jpg?itok=hExbkpYi)
Deep Drilling to Test Fundamental Theories About Faulting and Earthquakes
By Stephen H. Hickman, Geophysicist
Deep Drilling to Test Fundamental Theories About Faulting and Earthquakes
By Stephen H. Hickman, Geophysicist
![PubTalk 6/2002 — Finding Elusive Earthquake Faults](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/jun02thumb1.jpg?itok=H0ESXI3x)
New Mapping Techniques Reveal Potential Seismic Sources Beneath Seattle
By Richard J. Blakely, Geophysicist and Ralph A. Haugerud, Geologist
New Mapping Techniques Reveal Potential Seismic Sources Beneath Seattle
By Richard J. Blakely, Geophysicist and Ralph A. Haugerud, Geologist
![May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption: Stories from USGS Scientists](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/video/Thumbnail_Swanson_0.jpg?itok=ljk6R_xA)
USGS scientists C. Dan Miller, Don Mullineaux, Mike Doukas, Norm Banks, Don Swanson, and Richard Waitt talk about their experiences at Mount St.
USGS scientists C. Dan Miller, Don Mullineaux, Mike Doukas, Norm Banks, Don Swanson, and Richard Waitt talk about their experiences at Mount St.
This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.
This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.
A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i.
A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i.
Mount St. Helens erupted catastrophically on May 18, 1980 beginning at 8:32 a.m. USGS geologist Don Swanson photographed and filmed the eruption from about 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., documenting the rising ash column and ground-hugging pyroclastic density currents.
Mount St. Helens erupted catastrophically on May 18, 1980 beginning at 8:32 a.m. USGS geologist Don Swanson photographed and filmed the eruption from about 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., documenting the rising ash column and ground-hugging pyroclastic density currents.
![Mount St. Helens 1980 Ash Cloud as Seen From Space video thumbnail: Mount St. Helens 1980 Ash Cloud as Seen From Space](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/MSH_1980_NOAA.jpg?itok=p8aPTxVh)
Eruptive activity at Mount St. Helens captured the world’s attention on May 18, 1980 when the largest historical landslide on Earth and a powerful explosion reshaped the volcano. A volcanic ash cloud spread across the US in 3 days, and encircled the Earth in 15 days.
Eruptive activity at Mount St. Helens captured the world’s attention on May 18, 1980 when the largest historical landslide on Earth and a powerful explosion reshaped the volcano. A volcanic ash cloud spread across the US in 3 days, and encircled the Earth in 15 days.