Memories of Mount St. Helens“Takes a local and regional perspective in looking back on the mountain’s history, the frenzied days surrounding the eruption, and its aftermath.” —The Oregonian In the spring of 1980, Mount St. Helens awoke from a century-long slumber with a series of dramatic changes. Most threatening was a bulge on the side of the snowy peak, pushing steadily outward. Near Spirit Lake, local resident Harry Truman refused to leave his lodge, even as scientists like David Johnston warned about potential destruction. On May 18, the mountain finally blew, enveloping whole communities in ash and smoke. Mudflows destroyed bridges, houses and highways, and fifty-seven people, including Truman and Johnston, lost their lives. Today, the mountain is quiet. Plants and animals have returned and hiking trails have been rebuilt, but the scars remain. Join author and journalist Jim Erickson as he recounts the unforgettable saga of the Mount St. Helens eruption. |
Contents
1909 | |
1916 | |
1923 | |
Harry R Truman a Legendary Man of the Mountain | 1935 |
Day Before Eruption Coincidences Resulted in WhatIf Moments | |
The Day Mount St Helens Exploded Like an Atomic Bomb | |
Two Attached to National Geographic Saved by Dinner Whim | |
Mount St Helens Second Major Eruption Blew Ash Differently | |
Those Escaping St Helens Blast Described Devastation | |
Al Eggers Recalls Gravity Measurements on St Helens and Kilauea | |
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A.B. Adams activity Author's photo Bezymianny blast zone bulge Carolyn Driedger Cascades Volcano Castle Rock climbed cloud Coldwater Columbia River Cougar Cowlitz County crater crews David Johnston Dergan devastation Dick Ford Dog’s Head Douglas earthquakes Eggers emissions eruption of Mount explosion Forsyth Glacier geologist Glicken going Harry Truman Helens eruption helicopter hike hikers Hyde Keith Kerry Webster land landscape lateral blast lava dome lives logs Longview Loo-wit look magma McWhirter memories miles Milliken monitoring Mount Rainier Mount St mountain mudflows night north face north flank Ojerio peak photographer Bob Rudsit plants President Carter Pugnetti pyroclastic flow radio Reitan remembers reported ridge scientists Seattle Shirley Rosen slope snow south side Spirit Lake steam Stocker story summit Swanson Tacoma News Tribune tent timber Timberline told Toutle River trail trees U.S. Forest Service USGS photo Vancouver Virginia Dale volunteers W6TQF warning