Mount St. Helens releases larges ash and steam cloud.(The Seattle Times) From: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service | Date: October 6, 2004| Author: Bernton, Hal; Bartley, Nancy; Ith, Ian | COPYRIGHT 2004 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Byline: Hal Bernton, Nancy Bartley, and Ian Ith

VANCOUVER, Wash. _ Mount St. Helens on Tuesday blew off its largest plume of steam and ash so far since it stirred to life late last month, prompting federal scientists to issue an ashfall advisory for sparsely inhabited areas northeast of the volcano.

But scientists Tuesday were also emphatic that these repeated emissions aren't necessarily a buildup to a massive eruption that would come close to rivaling the ca...