Mount Saint Helens was active again today as it sent ash into the atmosphere after an earthquake registering a 2.0 on the Richter scale was recorded in the area.

Pilots saw ash drifting to the northeast at altitudes as high as 30,000 feet according to a spokesman for the National Weather Service.

The 8,364 foot tall volcano has been venting ash and clouds of steam since last fall. Scientists are still not certain if a more serious eruption like the one that took place on May 18, 1980, might be forthcoming. 57 people died as a result of that eruption.

Ken Wieman, a fish biologist who works nearby described the display of ash as looking like 'rain falling through sunlight,' according to 'The Oregonian.' He added, 'It made for some nice striated patterns of ash up against an already partly cloudy sky, so it was pretty cool.'

Scientists urge caution for local residents as they drive to decipher the volcano's future pattern of eruptions.