From the article: Mount St. Helens Eruption of 1980
The eruption of 18 May 1980 had widespread effects, although the physical effects are mostly erased outside the blast area. But for a while, millions of people had their lives disrupted. Share what you felt and what you learned in the spring of 1980. What Was It Like for You?
Sunchaser36
- I was living in Ridgefield, Wa. when St. Helens erupted. In fact, because I was in law enforcement I had spent some time working road blocks to keep the curious out of the area. We had several small eruptions that had dropped ash on our place prior to that. It was a Sunday and we had no idea the mountain had blown it's top. As we arrived at our church, Mountain View Christian Center, we saw several friends standing in the lot looking at the pillar of ash soaring into the sky. It seems that we, who were very close to the southwestern edge were shielded from the sound of the explosion. After the eruption and for all the invervening years I have visited the St. Helens area. I still look for those old places that disappeared that morning and marvel at the aftermath and healing that has taken place. Where groves of gigantic Yellow Fir once stood there are new young trees that in 200 or more years will take their place. Providing the mountain continues Her sleep. A once in a lifetime thing.
- —RLMurray
