#usgs

#usgs

The USGS issued a statement, saying that strong easterly-southeasterly winds in the vicinity of Mount St Helens had picked up 45-year-old loose volcanic ash. 'This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occasionally occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions in the Mount St Helens area,' the agency added. 'No eruption is in progress and Mount St Helens remains at Aviation Color Code GREEN and Alert Level NORMAL.'

The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected a 5.2 magnitude quake at 1am local time (5:02am ET) in Nikolski. The USGS shows a 60 percent chance of a 3-magnitude or greater hit near the epicenter in the next week, along with a small two percent chance of another 5-magnitude or greater. While there was no immediate tsunami warning, online reports suggested residents and authorities are on edge as they assess the potential impacts.