Washington State volcano hurls chunks of pumice

Volcanic Mt. St. Helens, which is erupting again for the first time in more than a century, spewed steam and chunks of pumice 15,000 feet Sunday, prompting scientists to declare a seismic crisis. Meanwhile, a moderately strong earthquake occurred early Sunday in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon, the US Geological Survey reported. The tremor, measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale, was centered about 150 miles off the coast and about 200 miles southwest of Portland, Ore. Scientists said the possibility of damage due to a sea wave or ground shaking on shore was negligible.