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Mount Saint Helens Acts Up

For the past six months, Mount Saint Helens, in Washington State, has been rumbling. Last Tuesday, the 8,364-foot volcano shot a huge plume of ash 30,000 feet into the air.

The explosion sent tourists scrambling. William Nicoll, 19, was visiting the volcano when the eruption hit. "It was a pretty big adrenaline rush," he said.

Mount Saint Helens has been venting ash and steam since September 23, 2004, when thousands of small earthquakes rocked the mountain. In October, molten rock reached its surface.

Scientists are keeping a close eye on the giant. The last time it blew its top was May 18, 1980. Forests were destroyed, and 57 people were killed.

Seismologists are monitoring the volcano's movements. They say that Mount Saint Helens is now rebuilding itself. But compared to the 1980 eruption, last week's plume was "really small potatoes," said Jon Major of the U.S. Geological Survey.

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