A 3.3-magnitude earthquake trembled beneath Mount St. Helens early yesterday, the latest in a series of stronger-than-usual quakes at the volcano.

The quake at 2:34 a.m. likely triggered the overnight collapse of a large section of rock at the north end of the growing lava dome, U.S. Geological Survey scientists reported yesterday from the Cascades Volcano Observatory.

Much of the smooth surface of the ridge, which is created as rock extrudes from the vent, has been removed by rockfalls over the past few weeks.

After years of quiet, the mountain rumbled awake in September, and in October a flow of molten rock reached the surface, marking a renewal of dome-building activity that had stopped in 1986.

A deadly eruption in 1980 killed 57 people and sent a river of hot mud and ash down the Toutle River Valley.

The Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the mountain.

Scientists say a more explosive eruption, possibly dropping ash within a 10-mile radius of the crater, is possible at any time.

South King County

Trooper injured in roadside crash

A State Patrol trooper was injured early yesterday when a sport-utility vehicle crashed into a Patrol car parked behind an abandoned sedan on the shoulder of Highway 167 near South 277th Street.

The collision pushed the Patrol car into the abandoned vehicle, according to a news release.

The trooper suffered minor injuries and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was treated and released.

The SUV driver initially fled on foot but turned himself in yesterday morning, according to the release. It said the driver faces a felony hit-and-run charge.

Seattle

Power outage hits U Village, homes

A power outage in the Laurelhurst neighborhood left 1,100 residents and the University Village shopping center without electricity Saturday.

Power went out at 12:30 p.m. and was restored to most customers, including University Village stores, three hours later, said Sharon Bennett, spokeswoman for Seattle City Light.

The outage was caused by the failure of an underground power cable near Northeast 41st Street and 41st Avenue Northeast, Bennett said. Old underground cables are known to crack in hot weather, she said.

About 200 residents in the Laurelhurst neighborhood nearest the failed cable remained without power until midnight Saturday.

Seattle

Verbal exchange leads to stabbing

A verbal dispute led to a stabbing yesterday morning near Aurora Avenue North and Crockett Street.

The victim was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen around 10:30 a.m. before he pepper-sprayed his attacker, who then fled, Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said.

Police tracked the assailant with a K-9 unit but lost the trail, he said. The attacker is described as a white male in his 20s, 5 feet 4 inches tall with shoulder-length dark-brown hair. He was not wearing a shirt.

The victim, whose identity was not released, was treated at Harborview Medical Center.

Times staff and news services