The avalanche rapidly released pressurized gases within the volcano. A tremendous lateral explosion ripped through the avalanche and developed into a turbulent, stone-filled wind that swept over ridges and toppled trees. Nearly 150 square miles of forest was blow over or left dead and standing.
At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. Wet, cement-like slurries of rock and mud scoured all sides of the volcano. Searing flows of pumice poured from the crater. The eruption lasted nine hours, but Mt. St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments.
A vast, gray landscape lay where once the forested slopes of Mt. St. Helens grew. In 1982 the President and Congress created the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument for research, recreation, and education. Inside the Monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance. To watch a short video (that includes a photo of the pre-volcanic blast), click on this link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens
This was truly one of the main highlights of our travels so far. We just weren't expecting the experience. There are no words I can say that would probably get you there, but go if you can! And, if you do go, be sure to go all the way to Johnston Ridge Observatory and watch the videos--amazing and astounding.
On our way up to Mt. St. Helens, we stopped at Coldwater Lake. This is one of two lakes in this area that were formed as a result of the volcanic explosion. Coldwater Creek was dammed by the blast and created Coldwater Lake.
Here's Gary outside the Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center (it's the second visitor's center on the road to Mt. St. Helens).
There are actually four visitor's centers and we hit three of the four (with the observatory being the last one on the route). There's no "observatory" at this center ... it's simply the closest center to the base of Mt. St. Helens that includes excellent viewing and picture taking opportunities. Hourly they show a great movie inside the center that includes unbelievable footage of the blast and the aftermath. Also hourly a park ranger does an oral presentation of the event on the outdoor open quad area. The park ranger told us that it took the wave of energy only 23 seconds to reach the Johnston Observatory location ... which happens to be seven miles from the blast site!! That's how long anyone who was seven miles away had to live once the top blew ... only 23 seconds!
It was a little hazy when we started out, but a fairly cloudless sky which meant the full mountain was exposed, not covered by clouds. In looking at this photo, the area between the two mountain bumps is the main slide area, and where the top of the mountain used to be until the avalanche.
The next photo has Mt. St. Helens on the left and you can see Castle Lake on the right. Castle Lake is the second lake that was created as a result of the volcanic blast.
Check out this dazzling dynamic duo! We're standing on the patio outside the Johnston Ridge Observatory with Mt. St. Helens in the background.
And, as an added bonus, from the quad area outside the visitor center entrance, you get this awesome view of the top of Mt. Rainier. This was like a two-for-oner visit!
But, that's not what makes Mt. St. Helens one of the more memorable places we've visited so far. It's the story of this mountain and what happened in the time between the earthquake, the subsequent avalanche, the volcanic eruption, and the continuing process of forest regeneration and restoration.
Psalms 46:1-3 // God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
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