Outlook eases for a blow at Mt. St. Helens volcano

The US Geological Survey said the likelihood of a major explosive eruption in the near future at the Mt. St. Helens volcano had diminished. Scientists from the USGS and the University of Washington reported over the weekend that seismic activity had lessened but cautioned that "local hazards" could occur, the agency said. They said the volcano seemed to be following the same eruption pattern as a nonexplosive eruption in December and January, when a lava dome formed insid e the volcano.