If anybody is looking for some insight in to the current Mt St Halens situation and with what is going on within the USGS I would highly recommend Volcano Cowboys by Dick Thompson.

Volcano Cowboys chronicles the USGS activities from Mt St Halens thru Mt Pinatubo. This book, although about Volcanology, is a very easy and intertaining read. Thru the sciantists the reader will learn the inner workings of not only explosive Volcanos but all the stress of having to make the "right call" for the local populations that are at risk.

I read this book for the second time over the last few days and was surprised to learn that thoughout all of 1980 Mt St Halens had 15 minutes of hermonic tremors (April 15 one month prior to May 18) and within the last week she has had almost two hours of hermonic tremors! Hmm.... More magma this time???? If she plugs up and don't blow soon look for the USGS get real worried. If they have learned anything it is that Mt St Halens is unpredictable!

Enjoy.