St Helens belches steam as fears of explosion persist

MOUNT St Helens belched more steam yesterday following several days of tremors and low-level earthquakes that have raised fears that the mountain might blow at any moment.

It was not immediately clear how large yesterday's emission was, or whether it contained ash, but US Geological Survey geologist Willie Scott said any ash would fall mostly in the crater and not threaten any structures.

The steam burst blanketed the top of the mountain in a white cloud and followed a similar blast and 20-minute tremor late Sunday.