If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’ve probably caught yourself staring at that flat-topped silhouette on the horizon and wondering. Is it doing something? It’s been decades since the big one in 1980, and even the "hiccup" of the mid-2000s feels like a lifetime ago. But volcanoes don't just retire.
Honestly, the mountain is busy. Just not in the way that makes for good breaking news headlines.
Right now, Mount St. Helens current activity is officially categorized as "Normal." That’s the green light from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO). But "normal" for a volcano doesn't mean "dead." It means it's breathing.
What’s actually happening under the crater?
Magma is moving. Since about 2014, scientists have been tracking what they call "magmatic recharge." Basically, the plumbing system several miles beneath the crater is slowly refilling with fresh molten rock. This isn't a "run for the hills" moment. It’s a decades-long process of the volcano getting its groove back.
You might hear about earthquake swarms. They happen. Often.
In early 2026, seismic monitors have picked up the usual chatter—tiny quakes, most of them measuring less than a 1.0 magnitude. You wouldn't feel them if you were standing right on the rim. They’re deep, usually between 2 and 5 miles down. These quakes happen because as new magma pushes into the reservoir, it stresses the surrounding rock. The rock cracks. The sensors beep.
It’s like a house settling at night, but with more tectonic drama.
The ash "scares" are usually just wind
Every now and then, someone posts a photo on social media showing "smoke" rising from the crater. Usually, within an hour, the USGS has to step in and clarify that it’s just dust.
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High winds—especially those dry easterly gusts we get—tend to pick up old ash from the 1980 eruption that's still sitting in the crater. It creates these massive plumes that look terrifyingly like an eruption. In late 2025, we saw this happen again. Pilots reported ash at high altitudes, but the volcano wasn't erupting. It was just dusty.
If you see a plume, check the "Aviation Color Code." If it's Green, you're looking at a localized dust storm, not a new crater.
Why it won't be another 1980
People ask this constantly: Will it blow its side off again? Probably not.
The 1980 eruption was a freak event because of the massive landslide that uncorked the mountain. Today, there’s no "cork" left. The mountain has a giant, gaping hole where the north flank used to be. If magma reaches the surface again, it’s more likely to build another lava dome or produce small, vertical ash explosions.
Think of it like a soda bottle. In 1980, the bottle was shaken and then the side was smashed open. Now, the cap is off. The pressure can't build up in quite the same way.
Current Monitoring Stats (January 2026)
- Alert Level: Normal (Green)
- Average Quakes: 10–20 per week (background levels)
- Ground Deformation: Steady, very slight inflation (consistent with recharge)
- Gas Emissions: No significant CO2 or SO2 spikes
Hiking and visiting right now
If you’re planning a trip, the activity shouldn't stop you, but the weather might. As of mid-January 2026, the mountain is in full winter mode.
Spirit Lake Memorial Highway (State Route 504) is usually closed at the Hummocks Trailhead during this time of year. You can’t drive all the way to Johnston Ridge Observatory in the winter. Also, keep in mind that the massive 2023 landslide near the bridge is still a factor for access.
For the climbers: the winter route starts at Marble Mountain Sno-Park. You need a permit, and honestly, you need an ice axe and the knowledge of how to use it. The "rim" is currently covered in unstable snow cornices. Don't be the person who walks out onto a shelf of snow that isn't actually attached to the mountain. It happens every year.
What to watch for next
We aren't waiting for a "big bang." We’re waiting for a shift in the data.
Scientists like Jon Major and the team at CVO are looking for "unrest." That would be hundreds of quakes a day, significant ground swelling, and a change in the gases coming out of the fumaroles. We aren't seeing that.
The most likely scenario for the next few years? More of the same. Small quakes, the occasional "dust plume" that scares the internet, and a whole lot of quiet mountain.
Actionable steps for your visit:
- Check the CVO Monthly Update: The USGS posts a summary every month. If the word "Advisory" or "Yellow" appears, pay attention.
- Monitor the Webcams: The Johnston Ridge and Loowit cams are the best way to see if that "smoke" is actually just wind-blown ash.
- Get a Sno-Park Permit: If you're heading to the south side before May, don't forget your Washington State Sno-Park pass or you'll get a hefty ticket.
- Stay off the Cornice: When you reach the summit rim, stay at least 20 feet back from the edge. The "edge" you see is often just frozen snow hanging over a 2,000-foot drop.
Mount St. Helens is a living thing. It's recharging, it's shaking, and it's definitely not done. But for today, it’s just a very beautiful, very quiet volcano.