Mount St. Helens, 25 years after the eruption

"When Charile Crisafulli first ventured onto the moonscape left behind by Mount St. Helens' May 18, 1980, eruption, Spirit Lake was lifeless. His discovery of a single lupine growing near its shores two years later was cause for wonder.

"Now, as the U.S. Forest Service ecologist begins his 25th season on the volcano's flanks, thickets of trees shelter a growing number of animals and the lake supports abundant frog, salamander and fish populations... The riotous return of life to the mountain upsets conventional notions about the way nature heals its wounds and offers blueprints for repairing damage done by humans."


As previously mentioned in this virtual space, there will be a number of events to commemorate the eruption of Mount St. Helens. May 18 will be a free day at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. No fees will be charged on the Volcanic Monument, including the visitor centers on State Route 504.