It has been decades since Mt. St. Helens blew her top (another example of what happens when you hold things inside too long). Scientists first predicted it would be hundreds of years before the active volcano refilled its crater.

However, in the last couple of years Mount St. Helens has picked up the pace with her lava dome growing at the rate of 2 dump truck loads per second.  At that rate, she'll be ready for another tantrum in 12 years or so.

Here's a way to safely compare today's lava dome with that of 2003 - with a 360 degree view at that!