The TV version of CNN is reporting that Mount St. Helens began emitting mass quantities of steam at around noon pacific (melting the snow in the crater), and now has settled down slightly. Perhaps a final prelude to eruption is on its way, although the scientist on CNN is hedging on exactly what is going to happen next. The CNN Science section is not yet updated to reflect this change, but I imagine will be shortly.
UPDATE FROM THE WEBMASTER: Thanks for the update, Dane! Here’s the live webcam view:
Here’s an article: Steam eruption begins at Mount St. Helens.
