Remembering the Mount St. Helens Eruption: 40 years later

Support the work of the Burke Museum:

40 years after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the world is in another state of pause, one that forces us to think about something larger than ourselves.

The Burke will observe a week of remembrance, looking at different ways we can view what happened 40 years ago, but also reflect on what we have learned since.

Speakers & participants:
– Author Eric Wagner, in conversation with University of Washington professor Cynthia Chang, will talk about Wagner's new book, After the Blast (University of Washington Press).

– Polly Olson (Yakama), Burke Museum Tribal Liaison, will offer a Native perspective on the eruption and its influence on food gathering in the region.

– Local tribal elders share stories of the mountain.

– Jeff Bradley, Burke Mammalogy Collections Manager, will discuss his experience working in the area several years after the eruption, as well as what we have learned from specimens collected from the site.

– Burke staff, volunteers and members of the public share their memories of the event.