Mount St. Helens: How the Worst Volcanic Eruption in US History Unfolded

A look back at the catastrophic May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington—the most devastating volcanic eruption in U.S. history—and the events leading up to it. #Volcano #MountStHelens #Washington

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[edb]

I remember that day very well. Myself, my wife, and our 2 children were living in Vancouver, WA at that time. We were driving towards the Orchards area and could clearly see the mountain,
which was about 50 miles away. As the mountain started to erupt, everyone in that area pulled over and got out of their cars. We all heard the DEEP rumbling roar coming from the mountain
and it was the 1st time in my life I ever felt true awe. The sound was so deep and loud that we could feel it inside our chest. I felt as if I was in the presence of Almighty God doing His work
to reshape the Earth, destroying a beautiful area so that a new area would be created. As we watched, a huge cloud of ash rose high into the sky and formed an anvil shape at its top.
Lightning flashed around inside the ash cloud with dozens and dozens of flashes. The areas where the lightning flashed were bright red and gold, contrasting with the black boiling ash
cloud. I hope never to see something like that again, especially since we now live even closer to Mt. St. Helens. It's been quiet for some time but we've recently had some earthquake
activity. It's probably nothing since the quakes are all small and probably due to steam venting. Still, this tribute to that day and those who were lost was well done and appreciated.

[monicalifornia_]

This was a beautiful tribute.
Those of us west coasters who were alive at the time will never forget.

[StephenLuke]

RIP
To the 57 people and thousands of animals who were killed in the eruption of Mount St. Helens

[karenharris]

Seems like 'yesterday' to me. I was in Spokane for a family reunion. After three days we were able to get enough air filters to head up north to Canada - as I-90 towards Seattle was a mess. I was very glad to see rain in the mountains!

[stoneymcneal]

I remember that day. Thankfully, I was many hundreds of miles further down the west coast. For a short period of time, we could smell the ash, but none fell upon our community. For the longest time, sunsets included so many colors of the rainbow. Perhaps five years after the eruption, I visited the base of the volcano on the side opposite the eruption. Mounds of ash, pyroclastic chunks of rock, and felled trees were everywhere. Amazingly, the Earth had begun to rebuild in the form of small plants, trees, and the renewed presence of small animals.

[jamesmurray]

43 years has passed since the eruption.I was stationed at the Cle Elm Ranger Station when the call came in at8:30a.m. Heard the young man called and died. Never forget the darkness of the day.Could not see six feet in front of you car.We did not hear it up close, they did hear it in Sedro Woolley.I will not forget.

[peterjohnston]

The volcano erupted horizontally, not vertically. The explosive force has been estimated to be equivalent to 24 megatons of TNT. My wife and I visited Mt. St. Helens in the fall of 2018. The scope of destruction is still evident decades later.

As a young man, I clearly remember the eruption. I lived in Calgary, Alberta and we got a light dusting of ash. In the fall, I travelled by rail from Seattle to San Francisco to get work on a ship. I clearly remember transiting the western slopes of the coastal mountains in Washington state, and the streams and rivers were choked with downed trees and debris. Astonishing.

[duckmangooo]

Was in Salem Oregon at the time of the eruption. The sky full of gray heavy ash. Stayed inside for several days (snuck outside, not very long).

[domm]

I really feel like the story of this eruption and all those involved would make an amazing film. Its a story I cant get enough of.

[darlamundine]

I was graduating high school when this was going on.

[janmcelvain]

I lived in Spokane when the mountain blew. So dam much ash. It turned daylight into night as it fell. However, that year was my best garden ever.

[zro_]

Imagine not leaving the area when its giving you all the time to move away

[elizabethduthie]

I was living in Olympia walking to work about 15minutes before it blew.The sky was an apricot color and it blew as I entered the store. 7:08 ❤

[kamily]

The guy eatin a pickle cracks me up every time 😂

[RRaquello]

I was a geology student at a university on the east coast so obviously not in the area, but still it was of course of interest to us. A volcano right in the US at the time we happened to be in college studying geology it was almost like pornography for geologists. We had an old teletype machine hooked up to the USGS news feed and because it was an ongoing event we had student volunteers watching the news tickers, but the volcano fooled us all by blowing on a Sunday morning, which was the only time there was no one in the office. Nature's going to do its thing on its own time.

[Vlaakster]

That was really awesome. I was 5 years old, in Moses Lake WA when it blew. I remember being confused because it was snowing and yet warm outside when my mom came to the day care to pick me up. The falling ash was the strangest thing. I remember it being so dark, even though it was supposed to be day time.

[bradical]

Im a montanan, my dad was about 20 when st helens erupted, and the ash covered the ground in my home town of st. Ignatius, MT, whichbis over 500 miles away. My dad still has a jar of ash soemwhere..

[ReubenGarcia-wg]

I was only 7yrs old when My St Helen blew up. I lived in the city of Yakima WA, Total darkness. My Dad brought us in to the house and turned on the That was when we felt the rumblings of the volcano then we heard the boom, sounded right outside our house. My Dad was sad because his birthday was May 19th. And his birthday celebration got cancelled. Something I'll never forget.

[HealingFrequenciesMusic-HFM]

Every May 18, we ask "where were you when the mountain blew?" It's a day (and summer) that will be remembered.

[markyancey]

Dude eating the pickle is a total goof