After living in Costa Mesa, CA, for a few years, I got homesick for Oregon, packed up husband and cat, and headed north on March 15, 1980. We arrived in the Portland area on the 16th and proceeded to settle in. Also, on March 16, 1980, a series of small earthquakes rumbled, mostly unfelt, beneath Mt. St. Helens. Geologists and seismologists noted the activity, but there was nothing significant enough to warrant a news release. That changed when a magnitude 4.2 earthquake on March 20 prompted geologists to deploy additional seismometers. There was minor interest in the local news over the next two weeks; it was a curiosity, nothing more. Few people gave it any serious consideration until shortly after noon on March 27, when there was a loud boom followed by an ash plume that rose about 6,000 feet above the mountain. That caused a bit of excitement.
There was talk of a bulge forming on the north face of the volcano, but frankly, I couldn't see it in the newspaper or TV photos. Rumbles and occasional ash and/or steam plumes became commonplace over the next month. On April 29, the governor of Washington ordered a large area around the mountain closed. The Red Zone allowed no public access and the Blue Zone allowed only restricted access. Residents were ordered to evacuate, which caused a stir, because the public wasn't particularly concerned. Loggers, especially, protested the interference with their livelihood. On May 17, after continued dissent by unhappy residents, law enforcement officials escorted about 50 carloads of people into the Red Zone to retrieve possessions. Timing is everything.
As I recollect, there was far more news about unhappy residents and loggers than there was about the volcano. For many locals, it felt more and more like the boy who cried wolf one too many times. The volcano was putting on a nice show, but there was no reason people couldn't get on with their lives. Or so they thought. Until 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18.
1300 feet of elevation was lost in the largest landslide ever recorded by modern man as the north face of Mt. St. Helens slid into the valley below. There were two separate, but related disasters that happened during the eruption. The landslide came first, followed seconds later by a powerful blast. The debris avalanche traveled at speeds up to 150 mph. At one location, about 4 miles north of the summit, the advancing front of the avalanche still had sufficient momentum to flow over a ridge more than 1,150 feet high. It also traveled down the North Fork of the Toutle (pronounced Too-tl) River for 13 miles, filling the valley to an average depth of 150 feet. The landslide served to "uncork" the pressures within and beneath the mountain and hot gases and pumice blew northward at speeds up to 670 mph. Within an 8-mile radius of the north face, the blast obliterated everything in its path. Beyond that, up to approximately 19 miles away, trees were denuded of their branches and laid flat like matchsticks.
The initial eruption lasted for 9 hours. 57 people were killed. 250 square miles of land was damaged. 7000 big game animals and millions of smaller animals and birds died. Much as been documented about the devastation of that eruption. I have found it of great personal interest to visit the mountain every few years to see for myself how man and nature have rebuilt the area. For the most part, within the Mt. St. Helens National Monument, nature has been allowed to take her course. Outside the Monument, Weyerhauser owns or leases most of the land. They began harvesting blown down trees and replanting the forest within months of the initial eruption. The contrast has been very interesting to observe, as well.
Washington State Route 504 connected I-5 to Spirit Lake at Mt. St. Helens until it was obliterated during the 1980 eruption. The highway was rebuilt and reopened as far as Coldwater Ridge in 1991. The highway was completed as far as Johnston Ridge Observatory, which opened in 1994. To visit Windy Ridge, above Spirit Lake, approximately 5 miles east of Johnston Ridge requires a serious hike or a drive of several hours. Hopefully someday money will be found to connect the two sides of the mountain.
To read more, here are some recommended links:
Mt. St. Helens eruption timeline
Mt. St. Helens history
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Mt. St. Helens poem
Weyerhauser Forest Learning Center at Mt. St. Helens
I hope you enjoy your visit to the west side of Mt. St. Helens with me. We'll visit the east side some other time.
This house, approximately 30 miles downstream from Mt. St. Helens was partially buried by the lahar (mud flow) that resulted from the May 18, 1980 eruption. In some places, the lahar left behind as much as 50 meters of mud, completely burying the original highway and many homes.
Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams in the left-center distance
Mt. St. Helens and N. Fork Toutle River winding through mud-flow deposits
Prior to the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, this lake did not exist. This is an example of the many streams that were buried and later formed new lakes and ponds.
Wild currant and other spring blossoms within the blast zone of Mt. St. Helens
Mt. St. Helens with the new Castle Lake center-right
Here's a close-up of the river channel, showing the depth of mud and ash the stream has cut through.
Here's a close-up of trees blown down by the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, along with some new trees struggling to rebuild the forest.
Here, you can see what remains of trees blown down by the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
Loowit channel of the N. Fork Toutle River cutting through the ash, pumice, and mud deposited by the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and 1982
Mt. St. Helens under a passing cloud
Mt. St. Helens under a passing cloud
Mt. St. Helens with the new Castle Lake center-right
A wild bleeding heart growing amidst what I'm guessing are shamrocks.
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1) head over to the east side of Mt. St. Helens for a drive through the most severe portion of the blast zone and also Spirit Lake
2) check out several waterfalls in the scenic Columbia River Gorge
Both trips will be in the 150-200 mile range and take all day. No date picked yet, but it's sure to happen some time in the next two weeks. Which would you like to see? WU-backseat-drivers decide!
Sandi: A great sentiment/poem. Thanks.
"I can't help but wonder how the World would be,
If like the butterfly and rose we lived in harmony."
Pros: I have hydrangeas here. The plants seem to want to be a particular color, but that can be enhanced with acid fertilizer for blue and alkaline fertilizer for pink. For mine, no fertilizer makes them tend toward lavender or purple. I don't know of anything that makes them tend toward white or yellow. What do you put in your garden?
WTS: "Oh! let us fill our hearts up with the glory of the day" I try to do that every day, though I don't always succeed. Everything seems to go better when I do manage it.
Great pics of the mountain and I enjoyed reading everyone's reminiscences. I was back east when that happened but my brother was in eastern Oregon and got pretty well covered in ash, he said. It was constantly in the news and on people's minds - everyone was talking about it for what seemed like weeks. It's wonderful to see the new growth and know that all that stuff is like fertilizer in the long run.
Crumpets. Oh, my. My tummy just rumbled as I typed the word, LOL
Waterfalls, is my vote. Maybe you can do both now that you're all running around like a spring chicken ;)
I was leaning to more Mt. St. Helen's but waterfalls are fine with me as long as the crumpets are still warm.From what I've seen here you are going to do both anyway, eh.
Mt St Helens eastside -- 0
Columbia Gorge waterfalls -- 5
I'm thinking the falls should be looking pretty good in early June, with the snow melt from Mt. Hood.
SP: Thanks for adding to the volcano memories.
Pros: Hollytone? I'm not familiar with that brand. I'll have to take a closer look next time I go to the nursery.
Columbia Gorge waterfalls -- 2
I vote for Mt. St. Helens eastside. I've driven up the entire Columbia River Gorge...and while I saw some of the most beautiful, breathtaking scenery I have ever seen in my life, I can Google it and see it (or look at my old photos ;0). Not saying you won't take some beautiful photos...and I'd hate for all the others to not see them...but, well, you asked :o)
Now the eastside? Probably can't Google that.
Have a nice weekend!
Mt St Helens eastside -- 2
Columbia Gorge waterfalls -- 5
LowerCal: I got you curious? Ha! Mission accomplished. I love it when I can spark a little curiosity.
Karen: Thanks for your vote, because I did ask. As you know from seeing them in person, some of those waterfalls are quite high and the problem becomes "Where can I stand that's far enough away to get the whole thing in the shot and not have part of the view blocked by trees?"
Ylee: You're right. I will certainly go to the east side sooner or later.
Thanks for the comments on the blog pics! Yes, Mr. P is the alpha of the pack and the dogs all respected it! Two people at work have you beat on cats they each have 13!
I know I've been MIA for months now but have good excuses!
So happy I made it in time to read your header story about the Mt St Helen Explosion in 1980.
Loved seeing those pictures.
One of my favorate things about WU is all the places I get to see thru the words and photos of fellow bloggers here on WU.
Glad I did not miss this trip!
Weekend Comments Pictures @ dazzlejunction.com
Poppy: I will do both, sometime this year, but since you mentioned waterfalls before east side, I'll put you down as voting for the Gorge.
Gams: Hey there, good to see you. I know you've been busy; I read all about it in your blog and saw lots of pics to prove it. Glad you got to tag along to the volcano with us.
:o)
Either would likely be a great trip.
(my curious side says volcano though)
Looking forward to your report, wherever you go.
Mt St Helens eastside -- 3
Columbia Gorge waterfalls -- 6
Rob: The farce be with you, Wookie Grasshopper (yes, I know I'm mixing genres, but I'm allowed). If it's the falls, they'll be seen from the bottom, not the top as I'm not into steep climbs these days.
Voting will continue until a suitably photogenic day, as lately it's been cloudy to mostly cloudy. West Coasters call it the June Gloom, but it will pass sooner or later.
Some images from Jubilee Sunday. Two days down and two to go!
Happy Monday to you :)
Thanks for the PetsittersIntl link. There are several near my house. Will have to start interviewing.
I vote for the east side of Mount St. Helens to compare with the original blast pictures. Maybe it will Ylee and Prose hope for their gardens after the hail damage to Ylees and flooding to Prose.
The waterfall would also be really cool.
Been a while since I checked in. With the weather improving, somewhat, I've been busy with outdoors stuff.
Today is the one year anniversary of my total hip replacement. (I had my one year check up yesterday.) It just keeps getting better and better.
I did the "Columbia Gorge / Mt Hood Loop", about two months ago, when an Australian internet acquaintance was in Portland. Our excursion was about nine hours and somewhat over 175 miles (280 km). I was able to re-acquaint myself with sights I hadn't seen for in excess of 10 years. We are truly blessed with gorgeous scenery in this area.
Though I haven't been posting, I do "copy the mail" once in a while.
Glad to hear of your continuing progress. Add my name to the list of people who enjoy your road trips.
BFH: Congrats on your one-year hip anniversary! Your hip should be feeling just about normal now. Isn't it fun when you get to play tour guide to an out-of-town friend? I find that it makes me appreciate sights that I tend to take for granted.
Ylee: I'm so glad your veggies are making a comeback. Be sure to talk to them and give them lots of encouragement. The lonely tomatoes and peppers hanging out in one corner of my garden space are just sitting there, waiting for it to warm up before they decide if they'll grow.
Sandi: That strawberries-and-cream roll looks almost as good as it tasted! I followed the Jubilee festivities on your blog. Good thing you and your friends had something nice to do indoors, as I think it rained most of the time.
--------------------------
On the home front:
DH brought home a lovely Santa Rosa plum tree from the nursery to replace a tree that died in our young orchard last year. Now we're just waiting for it to dry out a bit before planting it.
I had my 12-week visit with the surgeon yesterday. He didn't really do anything other than answer my questions and give me the go-ahead to gradually increase activities. Although I'll never have my old range-of-motion back, I can now gently stretch to increase the current range-of-motion. I'm also now permitted to work on strengthening the inner thigh muscles that became shrunken and weak as a result of the worsening arthritis. All in all, a good prognosis with the caution to continue to take it easy on the joint and surrounding soft tissue for another couple of months. I don't go back to see the doc again until next March.
-----------------------------
Where To Next current score:
Mt St Helens eastside -- 4
Columbia Gorge waterfalls -- 6
Currently, the forecast looks hopeful for a day trip on Monday: partly cloudy with a high of 70F. Partly cloudy can be okay for views and photos. And it looks like the Columbia Gorge waterfalls win by a narrow margin. Never fear, eastsiders, we'll go have a look-see at the east side of the volcano later in the summer.
:o)
No matter where you decide to go, I'll be looking forward to travel with you vicariously! :)
As for the rain over the weekend ... it seems it is set to continue for another couple of weeks, at least. So much for a hosepipe ban!
Out most of the day, so have a great Friday.
Hope the weather is good for your trip on Monday :)
Bogon: Doggone it, that's one gorgeous waterfall you brought over. And it looks a lot like some of the ones to be found in the Gorge. I hear you about that old volcano. She's pretty special to me, too. And you've brought the vote almost to a tie. How 'bout if I do both? Gorge while the water's flowing good, volcano blow-down zone next month?
Ylee: And the photos will be posted on WU so you can see them, too.
Sandi: We only get a 2-day break in the weather on Sunday and Monday -- one day for yard work, one day for fun. Otherwise, we've been having 1/4 to 1/2 inch of rain just about every day. It's getting might old.
Works for me!
But, when we drove the Gorge, we also drove up to Mt. Hood. It was summer, but there was snow and it was quite cold up there!
My vote is still with Mt. St. Helen's, so I'm going to vote again....so we can get it closer!
Wherever you wander, remember the camera!! lol
Here's an aerial shot of Vista House at Crown Point to give you an idea of what the Columbia River Gorge looks like and why I want to have good visibility when we go.
There seems to be a problem with the web cam embed I originally put in here, as it keeps disappearing. It's from the Hood River Inn, a few miles farther east from Crown Point. If you want to see it, scroll down to the lower right-hand corner of this link.
Thanks for the update; sounds like you have been being good at following doctor's orders
and are rewarded with a "continue to increase motion slowly" permission!
And I am looking forward to both of your next trips. I don't know if I will ever make it to the North West so your photos may be the best I can do!
enjoy your weekend.
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I think we are all going to enjoy both trips - in whichever order you do them. Can't wait! :)
I thought about you last week when I read an article from some newspaper that said "researchers discover a positive attitude and a sense of humor improve longevity". No kidding. ;)
I've got such serious travel fever all of a sudden - a friend from Calgary just sent me a message that Ian Tyson has been chosen as Grand Marshall for this year's centenary of the Calgary Stampede. I'm so excited you'd think I'd been chosen. Ian and Sylvia are tied up with so many memories - bittersweet and pleasant - and even after they split, I still followed his career. When I lived in Utah, and after I moved to Texas, his music somehow caught up the magic of both places and made it tangible.
But, the Stampede is the first week of July, and there's no way I can get myself from here to there on such short notice. Maybe I'll take a few days and head out to Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of Texas - that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, as a matter of fact. A little riding, a little music - I could watch the roping and barrel racing on Saturday night and pretend I'm in Calgary!
Here's a little Tyson, just right for curing (or exacerbating) Cowtown fever!
Briar - hope the sun is shining for your photos:)
Blue skies at home. A few high clouds in the Gorge cam. Gonna be a fun day. See you tomorrow!
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