Rocky Fins

Mount St. Helens recently began pushing a huge rocky fin up from the ever-growing lava dome in its crater. From what I've read, volcanologists aren't 100% sure what this new fin means, whether an eruption is imminent or not, but it is growing higher at a rate of more than four feet per day. It's pretty crazy looking.

Here's another view from the USGS looking down at the lava dome and the 300 foot high rocky fin:

Meanwhile, Augustine Volcano in Cook Inlet has quieted down a bit. The alert status is now at "Yellow," with periodic steam and ash venting going on. Here's a picture posted on the Alaska Volcano Observatory website from a couple days ago: