Is the current situation hazardous? What types of activity could occur in the coming months?
Despite the pause in dome growth, some hazards remain. Small explosions could occur at any time without warning, producing hazardous conditions on the crater floor and upper flanks. Such explosions could be caused by the accumulation of steam (produced when water from rainfall or melting snow/ice comes into contact with still-hot dome rock) in subterranean spaces, with pressure building until the steam is released in an explosion. Rockfalls and small mudflows are also possible, especially during the spring thaw and periods of heavy rainfall. A larger explosion that would pose hazards beyond the volcano itself is unlikely in the absence of new precursory activity. An exception is the hazard to aviation from ash plumes that could be lofted above and downwind from the volcano by small, unheralded explosions or large rockfalls.
