Mt. Saint Helens

Mt. Saint Helens – The Eruption That Changed Washington Forever! At 8:32 am on May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall mountain collapsed in a massive rock avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried beneath volcanic deposits.

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. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscapes and people were dramatically affected within moments. In 1982, Congress created the 110,000–acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument for research, recreation, and education. Inside the Monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance. Mount St. Helens is 8,366 feet of volcaniclastic deposits. Visit www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm for information on Mount St. Helens. [Top]


Facts About Mount St. Helens
The growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in activity can occur over days, weeks, or months. Increase in the intensity of eruption may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. While Mount St. Helens is a challenging and exciting destination for climbing, hiking, fishing and exploring, Mount St. Helens is currently closed for climbing and existing climbing permits have been cancelled.

The crater rim and flanks of the volcano above the 4800–foot level have been closed due to an increased potential for steam explosions from the lava dome that could propel rocks and ash clouds above the crater rim. Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall. A number of hiking trails in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument have also been closed until further notice from forest officials in contact with USGS and the University of Washington. [Top]

Mount St. HelensVisitor Center at SilverLake & Seaquest State Park
Located 5 miles east of Castle Rock on the shores of Silver Lake, the Visitors Center – at 505 feet – introduces you to Mount St. Helens' history and to the powerful events that took place in 1980. Walk the one mile Silver Lake Wetlands Trail and discover how this lake was formed by a previous eruption and how the aquatic life continues to change Silver Lake. Enjoy distant views of Mount St. Helens and Silver Lake while identifying native plants, birds, and wildlife. The Center offers a 16–minute theater presentation, interpretive exhibits, an information desk, and Northwest Interpretive Association books. Continue your hiking adventure into Seaquest State Park, located across Highway 504 from the Visitor Center, which offers scenic camping, hiking and picnic areas. [Top]

Discover Coldwater Lake at Mount St. Helens
Coldwater Lake Recreation Area is located 45 miles east of Castle Rock in the heart of the blast zone at an elevation of 2,523 feet. Experience the effect the May 1980 eruption had on the Coldwater Valley. Walk the 1/4–mile Lake Interpretive Trail and enjoy close up views of this 20 year–old lake. Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms, a fish cleaning station, a boat launch, and a hands–on discovery area. For fishing regulations, check the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. [Top]

Coldwater RidgeVisitor Center
Situated within the National Volcanic Monument, the ColdwaterRidgeVisitorCenter (elevation 3,091 feet) features a video–wall theater program, interpretive exhibits, an information desk, a gift shop, a Northwest Interpretive Association book sales area and a restaurant. [Top]

Mount St. Helens – Johnston Ridge Observatory
At an elevation 4,255 Feet, Johnston Ridge Observatory reopens in early May. Situated at the end of State Highway 504 in the heart of the blast zone, the Observatory’s state–of–the–art interpretive displays magically portray the sequence of geologic events that transformed the landscape and opened up a new era in the science of monitoring an active volcano and forecasting eruptions. Read amazing eyewitness accounts from eruption survivors and take a 0.5 mile walk on the Eruption Trail and learn how the eruption shaped the surrounding landscape. Experience breathtaking views of the lava dome, crater, pumice plain, and the landslide deposit, or see a wide–screen theater presentation and interpretive exhibits. [Top]

Mount St. Helens Interpretive Talks
Forest interpreters share the magic of the geological events surrounding the 1980 eruption through a variety of formal talks and guided walks. Experience how volcanoes are monitored and discover how Mount St. Helens has taught us new answers to old mysteries. [Top]

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