In the summer of 1980, my Aunt Sherry brought me a vial of ash that I had zero appreciation for. At the time, I could think of no reason that I’d need light colored dirt. For Doug, this was a sort of homecoming, as in May of 1980, an event occurred that had an impact on him and much of the west coast…Mount Saint Helens had erupted.
Even 40 years later, being on site, it’s difficult to describe and even more difficult to capture in pictures mostly because of its scale and the fact that we could not see the entire top of the mountain at any point in time due to a heavy layer of clouds that happened to be in the area on that day. Every so often, though, the clouds would clear and briefly reveal most of the crater and rim.
The mountains and tall trees surrounding the area remind you when you look at the patched and near desolate valley below Mount St. Helens of the eruption’s pyroclastic nature and the speed and heat with which it scorched the surroundings and forever changed this landscape.
Imagine for a moment that it’s 8:30 am on May 18, 1980 when this huge mountain collapsed and the blast from it exploded sideways at nearly 500 miles per hour. A pyroclastic flow sent a super-heated wind made of gas and steam roaring across the land and wave after wave of pumice and ash spewing down the mountain in just a few hours time. Within the first 90 seconds, the initial debris-filled blasts pulverized the once massive (150ft) and dense pines, reducing them to mere stumps and also triggered epic mud flows that together devastated almost 150,000 acres of private, state and federal forests. The scale of this single episode challenges our comprehension, but also reminds us of the power of nature. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so small but also in such awe.
Wild flowers are abundant in this area and the new trees continue their comeback. From nearly every view within the park the clouds are ever changing around the mountain, commanding your attention. The patchwork below the mountain changes colors with the wind, the clouds, and the movement of the sun. It’s a fascinating place just to sit and watch for a spell.
Now I understand my Aunt’s gift and Doug’s draw to this place.
