Mount St. Helens - Community Submissions

Blast sparked a lifelong interest in nature

Seven-year-old grew up watching ecosystems recover from the May 18 blast. Now he works in the natural sciences himself.

Small town reporter gets big-time opportunity

Reporter with Skamania County Pioneer rubs elbows with Secret Service agents and media stars when President Jimmy Carter came to view eruption's impact.

Magnitude of blast hits home 30 years later

"My family and I drove up to Johnston Ridge Observatory Saturday for the first time, and we were amazed at the scenery."

Racing against time on the river

The morning of May 18, 1980 found myself and the crew of the USS Rogers (DD876) on our way back from reserve training San Diego CA to her home port in Portland Oregon.

Shore leave offered views of eruption

"When I went back to my ship ten days later, I took a number of the ash filled pens they were selling and handed them out. I will never forget the sight of the size of the ash cloud blowing out of the mountain."

Soldier helped in search efforts

"It was an amazing spectacle to witness."

Sheriff's warning saved dad, kids

"I told the kids to pick up their fish and start back to the car, but they didn't want to quit catching all of the fish. I quickly grabbed their poles and fish from them and told them to start running toward the car. They still did not know really what was going on until they saw the huge plume coming out of the mountain."

Great view, but a stupid idea

"It still amazes me that the airspace was not closed until noon that day. There were at least half a dozen planes flying that morning; none of us should have been up there!"

Missing a Sunday morning scoop

"I called the local radio station to alert them that the mountain was REALLY erupting, only to be told: 'Oh, that is happening often, and people are always calling us.'"

Ash: Good for the soil, not for the lungs

"We thought our lives would never be the same, after we had to live with -- and try not to breathe in -- all of the ash for several days and weeks."

A harrowing homecoming trip

"We arrived at the dock in time that evening to meet my husband, and he was shocked to see the car covered in ash and what I imagine were 'deer-in-the-headlights' expressions on our faces."

View of a lifetime

Couple hustled to get an unforgettable view of "The Mountain's" eruption - but had left in such a hurry that they forgot their camera.

Silent, amazing and massive

Battle Ground woman witnessed eruptions without worry - until wondering later what might have happened if the mountain had exploded in a different direction.