known as Lawetlat’la to the indigenous Cowlitz people,
and Loowit or Louwala-Clough to the Klickitat
Mount St. Helens
is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
01
Increased Seismic Activity
March 20, 1980
In March 1980, a series of small earthquakes began to be recorded beneath Mount St. Helens, indicating that magma was moving below the surface. This seismic activity suggested that the volcano was reawakening after over a century of dormancy.
02
Steam Explosion
March 27, 1980
On March 27, 1980, a steam explosion created a new crater on the summit of Mount St. Helens. This event, along with continued seismic activity, confirmed that the volcano was becoming increasingly active and posed a significant threat.
03
Bulge Formation
April 1, 1980
By early April, geologists observed a noticeable bulge on the north side of the volcano, growing up to five feet per day. This deformation indicated magma was accumulating and exerting pressure, making an explosive eruption more likely.
04
Catastrophic Eruption
May 18, 1980
On May 18, 1980, at 8:32 AM, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered the largest landslide in recorded history, followed by a massive explosive eruption. The eruption flattened forests, melted snow and ice, and spewed ash across several states.
Browse Collection
Mount St. Helens clothes, decor, and more!
Visiting Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens National Park has two entry locations.
- Highway 504 on the west side. Travelers from Seattle should take Exit 63 through Toledo and those from Portland take Exit 49, Castle Rock.
- Highway 12 near Randle via highway 25 / 99. Access a secondary viewing area at Windy Ridge on the north side of the park. This winding road with steep embankments boasts scenic views, but no amenities.
Johnston Ridge Observatory
Located at mile 52, Vicinity Map
Closed for the foreseeable future due to a landslide on State Route 504 around mile post 51.
24000 Spirit lake Hwy
Toutle, WA 98649
(360) 274-2140
Forest Learning Center
17000 Spirit Lake Hwy
Toutle, WA 98649
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