Mount St. Helens, Washington Before, During, and After May 18, 1980 1980 - 2004
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Go To: "Eruption of 2004" Images include: Before 1980 Eruption Spring 1980 David A. Johnston May 18, 1980 Eruption May 18, 1980 Ash May 18, 1980 Devastation Ice Blocks Aftermath - Cleanup, etc. Dee Molenaar sketches Austin Post and Bob Krimmel ... 9x9inch May 25, 1980 Eruption June 12, 1980 Eruption July 22, 1980 Eruption August 7, 1980 Eruption October 16-18, 1980 Eruption March 19, 1982 Eruption Before and After Aerial Photos Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake Mount St. Helens from Johnston Ridge Other Views Spirit Lake Pyroclastic Flows Steam and Ash Plumes Crater and Dome Monitoring Lakes and Reservoirs Castle Lake Coldwater Lake Fawn Lake Obscurity Lake Spirit Lake St. Helens Lake Swift Reservoir Elk Rock Lake Breakout Maratta Lake Elk Rock Lake Other Debris Avalanche Lakes Carbonate Springs Lakes Jackson Creek Lake Magura Lake Rivers, Creeks, Streams Sediment and Erosion Debris Retention Dams Regrowth and Recovery View from Harrys Ridge
Before May 1980 Eruption
	MSH80_st_helens_spirit_lake_before_may_18_1980.jpg Before the devastating May 18, 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens was considered to be one of the most beautiful and most frequently-climbed peaks in the Cascade Range. Spirit Lake was a vacation area offering hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. USFS Photograph taken before May 18, 1980, by Jim Nieland, U.S. Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 17 M] [This image pairs with a 1982 image]
	MSH64_aerial_view_st_helens_from_NE_09-64.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens, taken from the northeast. USGS Photograph taken before September 1964, by D.R. Mullineaux. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 15 M]
	MSH65_aerial_mount_st_helens_from_SE_05-65.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens, taken from the southeast, looking at the Shoestring Glacier. USGS Photograph taken May 1965, by D.R. Mullineaux. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH70_shoestring_glacier_southeast_side_09-70.jpg Southeast side of Mount St. Helens, showing Shoestring Glacier. This pre-1980 view of Mount St. Helens shows the volcano's southeast flank and the headwaters of the Muddy River before the 18 May 1980 eruption. The broad forested area in the foreground is underlain by many layers of volcanic deposits, chiefly lahars and pyroclastic flows generated from past eruptions of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken before September 1970, by D.R. Mullineaux. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 15 M]
	MSH73_msh_spirit_lake_from_bear_cove_08-73.jpg Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake, as seen from Bear Cove, August 1973. Image courtesy U.S. Forest Service. USFS Photograph taken August 1973. [medium size]
	MSH77_st_helens_from_east_of_west_linn_1977.jpg BEFORE: Mount St. Helens from the south, as seen from West Linn, Oregon. This image pairs with MSH80_st_helens_from_east_of_west_linn_1980_med.jpg. USGS Photograph taken in 1977 by Ken Cameron. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH79_aerial_mount_st_helens_from_SW_1979.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens, taken from the southwest. Dark andesite flows of Kalama age include a lava-flow complex on the southeast flank of the volcano and single flows on the southwest flank. Dacite of the summit dome forms the slopes above the lava flows. USGS Photograph taken 1979 by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 22 M]
	MSH79_aerial_mount_st_helens_from_SW_1979_bw.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens, taken from the southwest. Dark andesite flows of Kalama age include a lava-flow complex on the southeast flank of the volcano and single flows on the southwest flank. Dacite of the summit dome forms the slopes above the lava flows. USGS Photograph taken 1979 by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size, 16 M]
	MSH79_aerial_view_msh_looking_SE_09-28-79_bw.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens, as seen from the northwest. Mount Jefferson, Oregon, is in the background. USGS Photograph taken September 28, 1979 by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size]
	MSH79_aerial_view_msh_looking_SE_09-28-79_bw.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens summit, looking at the head of Shoestring Glacier. USGS Photograph taken September 28, 1979 by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size]
	MSH80_aerial_spirit_lake_from_south_04-10-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Spirit Lake before the big May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helenes. Another Cascade volcano, Mount Rainier (14,410 feet [4,392 meters]), is in the distance. The view is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on April 10, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Spring 1980
	Pre-May 18, 1980, images [Click]
David A. Johnston
	MSH80_david_johnston_gas-detection_equipment_04-04-80.jpg USGS geologist David A. Johnston, with gas-detection equipment. USGS Photograph taken on April 4, 1980, unknown photographer. [medium size]
	MSH80_david_johnston_at_camp_05-17-80.jpg David Johnston at Coldwater II, at 1900 hours. Dave did not survive the next day's eruption. Coldwater II would eventually be re-named "Johnston Ridge" in honor of Dave. USGS Photograph taken on May 17, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
May 18, 1980 Eruption
	MSH80_eruption_mount_st_helens_05-18-80.jpg On May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook Mount St. Helens. The bulge and surrounding area slid away in a gigantic rockslide and debris avalanche, releasing pressure, and triggering a major pumice and ash eruption of the volcano. Thirteen-hundred feet (400 meters) of the peak collapsed or blew outwards. As a result, 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of valley was filled by a debris avalanche, 250 square miles (650 square kilometers) of recreation, timber, and private lands were damaged by a lateral blast, and an estimated 200 million cubic yards (150 million cubic meters) of material was deposited directly by lahars (volcanic mudflows) into the river channels. Fifty-seven people were killed or are still missing. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Austin Post. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 39.5 M]
	MSH80_eruption_mount_st_helens_05-18-80_bw.jpg Eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Austin Post. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 13.5 M]
	MSH80_eruption_mount_st_helens_plume_05-18-80.jpg For more than nine hours a vigorous plume of ash erupted, eventually reaching 12 to 15 miles (20-25 kilometers) above sea level. The plume moved eastward at an average speed of 60 miles per hour (95 kilometers/hour), with ash reaching Idaho by noon. By early May 19, the devastating eruption was over. Shown here is a close-up view of the May 18 ash plume. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Donald A. Swanson. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M] ...
	MSH80_may_18_eruption_column_05-18-80_bw.jpg The eruption of May 18, 1980 sent volcanic ash, steam, water, and debris to a height of 60,000 feet. The mountain lost 1,300 feet of altitude and about 2/3 of a cubic mile of material stream downward from the center of the plume and the formation and movement of pyroclastic flows down the left flank of the volcano. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Austin Post. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_msh_eruption_05-18-80_Krimmel_80S3-141_bw.jpg May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Original negative is 9x9 black/white aerial. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size] [Jpg Format, 8.3 M, approximately 7x7 inches, 2250x2222 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 5 M, approximately 7x7 inches, 2250x2222 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 20 M, approximately 15x15 inches, 4500x4443 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 79 M, approximately 30x30 inches, 9000x8886 pixels, 300dpi]
	MSH80_eruption_plume_with_adams_05-18-80_bw.jpg May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams is in the background (right). Original negative is 9x9 black/white aerial. Image scanned from print. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 20 M] ... [TIF Format, 80 M, approximately 15x20 inches]
	MSH80_eruption_mount_st_helens_distance_05-18-80.jpg May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Joseph Rosenbaum. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 38 M]
	MSH80_st_helens_plume_from_NW_05-19-80.jpg Day after the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1980, by Peter Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_blowdown_with_st_helens_05-19-80.jpg Day after the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. View of denuded slope and blowdown timber, with a still steaming Mount St. Helens in the background. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1980, by Peter Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_seismogram_CPW_05-18-80.jpg Annotated seismogram from seismic station CPW (Coldwater Peak) for May 18, 1980. USGS Photograph of seismogram. [medium size] ... [large size]
May 18, 1980 Ash
	MSH80_may18_ash_road_connell_washington_06-80.jpg May 18, 1980 ash along the roadside, Connell, Washington. USGS Photograph taken in June 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 22 M]
	MSH80_may18_ash_connell_washington_06-80.jpg May 18, 1980 ash, Connell, Washington. USGS Photograph taken in June 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH80_volcanic_ash_with_helicopter_08-22-80.jpg For weeks volcanic ash covered the landscape around the volcano and for several hundred miles downwind to the east. Noticeable ash fell in eleven states. The total volume of ash (before its compaction by rainfall) was approximately 0.26 cubic mile (1.01 cubic kilometers), or, enough ash to cover a football field to a depth of 150 miles (240 kilometers). In this photograph, a helicopter stirs up ash while trying to land in the devastated area. USGS Photograph taken on August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH80_volcanic_ash_collected_near_randle_1980s.jpg Volcanic ash collected in Randle, Washington, located about 40 kilometers north-northeast of Mount St. Helens. The north edge of the May 18, 1980, eruption cloud passed over Randle and deposited between 1 and 2 centimeters of ash on the community. USGS Photograph taken by David Wieprecht. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Image, 18 M]
May 18, 1980 Devastation
	May 18, 1980, Devastation Images [Click]
Ice Blocks
	MSH80_ice_block_in_debris_avalanche_deposit_05-22-80.jpg Large ice block embedded in debris avalanche deposit. USGS Photograph taken on May 22, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_USGS_geologist_in_ice_block_melt_07-17-80.jpg USGS geologist, Donal Mullineaux, examines edges of depression left by melting glacier ice block which was buried in the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche. USGS Photograph taken on July 17, 1980, by Robert Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_USGS_geologist_examines_ice_block_depression_07-15-80.jpg USGS geologist, Donal Mullineaux, looks at depression left by melting glacier ice block which was buried in the May 18, 1980 debris a avalanche. USGS Photograph taken on July 15, 1980, by Robert Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Aftermath - Cleanup, etc.
	MSH80_house_along_cowlitz_mudflow_front_yard_07-80.jpg Cleaning up after the devastation of May 18, 1980. The owners of this house along the Cowlitz River with mud in their front yard, dug a new driveway. USGS Photograph taken in July 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_house_along_cowlitz_front_porch_07-14-80.jpg Cleaning up after the devastation of May 18, 1980. The owners of this house along the Cowlitz River deal with the May 18, 1980 mudflow. USGS Photograph taken in July 14, 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_road_along_cowlitz_07-14-80.jpg Cleaning up after the devastation of May 18, 1980. Road along the Cowlitz River. USGS Photograph taken in July 14, 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_road_cleared_at_camp_baker_07-11-80.jpg Road cleared of mud at Camp Baker, North Fork Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken on July 11, 1980, by Robert Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_removing_mud_from_SR504_07-15-80.jpg Front end loader removing mud from SR 504 about 2 miles upstream from the Coal Bank bridge, North Fork Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken on July 15, 1980, by Robert Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_mailbox_sign_free_mud_07-14-80.jpg Mailbox, sign, and wishful thinking. Sign says "Tourist Attraction, Volcanic Mudd, Free, You Haul". USGS Photograph taken in July 14, 1980 by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_coldwater_lake_outlet_channel_10-17-81.jpg Outlet channels were built at Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (shown here) to stabilize water levels and prevent overtopping of the debris dams. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake, the smallest of the three major lakes, could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken in October 17, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH82_coldwater_lake_early_warning_gage_10-01-82.jpg One major concern to people living downstream of Mount St. Helens was a breakout of any of the impounded lakes, such as Coldwater or Castle Lakes, due to the instability of the debris dams blocking them. Flood waters from a breakout could be more catastrophic than the lahars of May 18, 1980. Gages, such as this Early Warning Gage on Coldwater Lake, were installed at lakes and streams surrounding the volcano. These gages continuously monitored changes in water levels. Major increases or decreases in levels trigger warnings which are telemetered to the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver. USGS Photograph taken on October 1, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH83_spirit_lake_pump_station_09-23-83.jpg From late 1982 through the spring of 1985, a pump station operated at Spirit Lake to maintain that lake at a safe level. Water was released from the pump outlet at a constant rate of 5 cubic meters (175 cubic feet) per second. Without pumping, Spirit Lake was estimated to overtop its debris dam within a year. USGS Photograph taken on September 23, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH86_spirit_lake_tunnel_10-02-86.jpg In May 1985 a permanent tunnel was opened, allowing water to drain out of the Spirit Lake safely. This tunnel is 11 feet (3.4 meters) in diameter and more than 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) in length. The water level of Spirit Lake is now maintained at approximately 100 feet (30 meters) below the estimated overtopping level. USGS Photograph taken on October 2, 1986, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_aerial_view_dredge_columbia_river_07-10-80.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Columbia (shown here), Cowlitz, and Toutle Rivers. By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. USGS Photograph taken on July 10, 1980, by Robert Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_dredging_toutle_river_02-05-81.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Columbia, Cowlitz, and Toutle Rivers (Toutle shown here). By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. USGS Photograph taken on February 5, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH81_dredging_cowlitz_river_02-04-81.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Columbia, Cowlitz (shown here), and Toutle Rivers. By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. View here taken from the middle of the Cowlitz River looking towards the bank. USGS Photograph taken on February 4, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_dredging_cowlitz_at_kelso_03-22-81.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Columbia, Cowlitz (shown here), and Toutle Rivers. By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. USGS Photograph taken on March 22, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 27 M]
	MSH89_sediment_retention_dam_toutle_river_05-89.jpg In the spring of 1987, construction of a sediment retention dam on the North Fork Toutle River began. This retention dam is designed to help stop the downstream movement of the sediment near where it begins - on the debris avalanche. USGS Photograph taken in May 1989, by Steve Brantley. [medium size] ... [large size]
Dee Molenaar Sketches
	MSH80_before_after_sketch_by_DeeMolenaar.jpg Before and after sketch of Mount St. Helens, Washington. USGS sketch by Dee Molenaar. [medium size] ... [large size, 700K] ...
	MSH80_crater_sketch_by_DeeMolenaar.jpg Mount St. Helens, Washington. USGS sketch by Dee Molenaar. [medium size] ... [large size, 700K] ...
Austin Post and Bob Krimmel ... 9x9 inch
	MSH80_st_helens_summit_two_craters_03-30-80_bw.jpg Mount St. Helens' summit after several small explosive eruptions. The smaller of the two pit craters was formed first on March 27. Subsequent eruptions opened the farther crater. The two craters subsequently merged. View looking west. USGS Photograph taken on March 30, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 27 M] ... [TIF Format, 42 M]
	MSH80_two_tone_st_helens_with_rainier_03-30-80_bw.jpg Aerial view of a two-tone Mount St. Helens with Mount Rainier in distance. View looking north-northeast. Ash covered snow is a result of wind direction, resulting in left portion of cone free of ash while the right portion is covered. Snowstorms later covered these ash layers, which in turn were covered by new ash. The result was many alternating layers of snow and ash. USGS Photograph taken on March 30, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 27 M] ... [TIF Format, 42 M]
	MSH80_msh_eruption_05-18-80_Krimmel_80S3-141_bw.jpg May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Original negative is 9x9 black/white aerial. USGS Photograph taken on May 18, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size] [Jpg Format, 8.3 M, approximately 7x7 inches, 2250x2222 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 5 M, approximately 7x7 inches, 2250x2222 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 20 M, approximately 15x15 inches, 4500x4443 pixels, 300dpi] [TIF Format, 79 M, approximately 30x30 inches, 9000x8886 pixels, 300dpi]
	MSH80_aerial_view_msh_from_NW_08-19-80_bw.jpg Aerial view of Mount St. Helens as seen from the northwest. USGS Photograph taken on August 19, 1980, by Robert Krimmel. [medium size] ... [large size]
May 25, 1980 Eruption
Mount St. Helens erupts ash and forms an eruption column that rose to a maximum altitude of 9 miles with variable winds dispersing ash over southwestern Washington and neighboring Oregon, producing small to moderate ash falls in communities that had been spared the ash fall of May 18. At least one pyroclastic flow accompanied the vertical ash ejection.
	MSH80_ash_on_cars_vancouver_05-25-80.jpg The May 25, 1980, eruption sent ash west. Image of ash-covered cars in Vancouver. USGS Photograph taken on May 25, 1980, by J. Rosenbaum. [medium size]
	MSH80_ash-covered_airplane_kelso_airport_05-26-80.jpg The May 25, 1980, eruption sent ash west. Image of ash-covered airplane at the Kelso/Longview Airport. USGS Photograph taken on May 26, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size]
	MSH80_trees_downed_by_weight_May25_ash_06-11-80.jpg Weight of the wet May 25, 1980 ash downed these trees, near Camp Baker, North Fork Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken on June 11, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_geologists_study_May25_pyroclastic_flow_05-30-80.jpg Geologist study pyroclastic flow from May 25, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on May 30, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 25 M]
June 12, 1980 Eruption
Mount St. Helens again erupts, generating ash falls to the south-southwest and pyroclastic flows down its north flank. Probably within hours following the explosive activity very stiff magma begins to ascend in the vent, slowly oozing onto the crater floor, and forms a bulbous lava dome about 1,200 feet in diameter and 150 feet high. This dome was confirmed by observers on June 15, when visibility over the volcano improved.
	MSH80_airfall_June12_over_May25_06-80_bw.jpg Coarse pumice from June 12, 1980, eruption that formed impact pits in the finer but much thicker May 25 airfall at Butte Camp, on the southwest flank of Mount St. Helens. Scale is 15 centimeters - about 6 inches. USGS Photograph taken on June 1980, by Richard Waitt. [medium size]
	MSH80_aerial_June12_pyroclastic_flows_07-13-80_bw.jpg Aerial view, June 12, 1980, pyroclastic flows. Image shows a 1/2 mile-long tongue and its lobes. Flow deposits overlie an older thin tongue of June 12 deposits. Upper left shows pyroclastic flow deposits (light gray) and debris avalanche deposits (dark gray) from the May 18-19 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on July 3, 1980, by Pete Rowley. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_fumarole_on_June12_pyroclastic_flow_07-01-80.jpg Fumarole on June 12, 1980 pyroclastic flow. Note pick for scale. USGS Photograph taken on July 1, 1980, by Tom Cascadevall. [medium size] ... [large size]
July 22, 1980 Eruption
Mount St. Helens erupts in three explosive pulses during the afternoon and evening. Plumes of ash rise to altitudes of between 6 and 11 miles. The events destroy most of the dome formed in mid-June, and pyrociastic flows pour through the north breach of the summit crater and override earlier flows of May and June. No dome develops after the end of the explosive activity.
	MSH80_st_helens_eruption_plume_07-22-80.jpg Five more explosive eruptions of Mount St. Helens occurred in 1980 (after May 18), including this spectacular event of July 22. This eruption sent pumice and ash 6 to 11 miles (10-18 kilometers) into the air, and was visible in Seattle, Washington, 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the north. The view here is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Mike Doukas. [medium size] ... [large size] . ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH80_july_22_second_plume_from_south_07-22-80.jpg July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, second eruptive pluse as seen from the south. USGS Photograph taken at 6:43 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_eruption_mount_st_helens_plume_07-22-80.jpg July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, with Mount Rainier, Washington, in the background. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Jim Vallance. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_july_22_eruption_sunset_on_plume_07-22-80.jpg Sunset on the July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, looking northeast. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_sunset_on_July22_ash_plume_07-22-80.jpg Closer view, sunset on the July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, looking northeast. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_sunset_july_22_eruption_from_NW_07-22-80.jpg Sunset on the July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, as seen from the northwest. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Jim Vallance. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_july_22_eruption_seen_from_tacoma_07-22-80.jpg Mount St. Helens' July 22, 1980 eruption plume, as seen from Tacoma, Washington. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 6 M]
	MSH80_july22_eruption_from_vancouver_07-22-80.jpg Mount St. Helens' July 22, 1980 eruption plume, as seen from Vancouver, Washington. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Sharon Diehl. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Mike Doukas. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80_B.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80_C.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flows_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, July 22, 1980 pryoclastic flows. Note USGS scientist (at edge of flow, center of image) and helicopter. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_USGS_scientist_at_July22_pyro_flow_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, USGS Scientist Don Swanson (in red, center of image) examines fresh pyroclastic flow from the July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Mike Doukas. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_seismogram_with_harmonic_tremor_07-22-80.jpg Seismogram for the eruption of July 22, 1980, showing harmonic tremor. USGS Photograph by Henry Spall, USGS/Reston. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 30 M]
	MSH80_pumice_muddy_drop_09-22-80.jpg Pumice from the July 22, 1980 eruption, as seen at the Muddy Drop. USGS Photograph taken on September 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_muddy_bridge_remains_pumice_09-23-80.jpg Remains of the bridge crossing the Muddy River, with pumice of July 22, 1980 eruption on the banks of the river. USGS Photograph taken on September 23, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
August 7, 1980 Eruption
Eruption of Mount St. Helens with ash to nearly 43,000 feet. Small pyroclastic flow on the north. A new lava dome began building in the crater on August 8th.
	MSH80_august_7_eruption_from_south_08-07-80.jpg August 7, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens as seen from the south. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by C.Dan Miller. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_august_7_eruption_plume_rising_08-07-80.jpg August 7, 1980, eruption plume of Mount St. Helens, with emerging plume. (See next image) USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 15 M]
	MSH80_august_7_eruption_plume_08-07-80_bw.jpg August 7, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, with emerging plume. (See previous image) USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_august_7_eruption_with_plane_08-07-80.jpg August 7, 1980, eruption plume of Mount St. Helens, with small aircraft (yellow circle) to give an idea of size. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 15 M]
	MSH80_august_7_eruption_ash_heading_NE_08-07-80.jpg Ash from the August 7, 1980, eruption heading to the northeast. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 15 M]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_USGS_scientist_from_north_08-07-80_bw.jpg Beginning of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_from_st_helens_crater_08-07-80.jpg During the May 18, 1980 eruption, at least 17 separate pyroclastic flows descended the flanks of Mount St. Helens. Pyroclastic flows typically move at speeds of over 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers/hour) and reach temperatures of over 800 Degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Celsius). Photographed here, a pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption stretches from Mount St. Helens' crater to the valley floor below. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman105.jpg SEQUENCE: Beginnings of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 105. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman108.jpg SEQUENCE: Beginnings of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 108. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman112.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 112. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman113.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 113. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman116.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 116. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman117.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 117. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman119.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 119. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flows_august7_on_july22_09-30-80.jpg August 7, 1980 pyroclastic flow on top of July 22, 1980 pyroclastic flow. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_vertical_thermal_image_msh_08-13-80.jpg Vertical thermal image of Mount St. Helens taken shortly after the August 7, 1980 eruption, using a RS-14A scanner from 15,000 feet, with color calibrated by computer. Blue is coldest and Red is hottest. Image from USGS Professional Paper 1250, Figure 173. USGS Photograph taken on August 13, 1980. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
October 16-18, 1980 Eruption
Mount St. Helens erupts again. The August dome is destroyed. Ash plumes to nearly 46,000 feet with ash dusting Portland, Oregon. Small pyroclastic flows. Following the final burst on October 18, a new lava dome emerges from the floor of the crater and grows at a dramatic rate through the afternoon and evening. By the following morning it obtains its ultimate size of more than 650 feet in diameter and 130 feet in height. This dome is the base for the dome seen today.
March 19, 1982 Eruption
	MSH82_lahar_from_march_82_eruption_03-21-82.jpg Mount St. Helens erupted often between 1980 and 1986. An explosive eruption on March 19, 1982, sent pumice and ash 9 miles (14 kilometers) into the air, and resulted in a lahar (the dark deposit on the snow) flowing from the crater into the North Fork Toutle River valley. Part of the lahar entered Spirit Lake (lower left corner) but most of the flow went west down the Toutle River, eventually reaching the Cowlitz River, 50 miles (80 kilometers) downstream. USGS Photograph taken on March 21, 1982, by Tom Casadevall. [medium size] ... [large size]
Mount St. Helens - Before and After - Aerial Photos
	MSH78_aerial_photo_camp_baker_NFToutle_06-05-78.jpg Aerial photograph of the North Fork Toutle River and Camp Baker, taken June 1978, scale 1:124,000. Camp Baker is located nearly center in image. Hoffstadt Creek runs parallel to the North Fork Toutle River below Camp Baker. Aerial photograph taken June 5, 1978, courtesy Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 28 M]
	MSH80_aerial_photo_camp_baker_NFToutle_06-19-80.jpg Aerial photograph of the North Fork Toutle River and Camp Baker (near center), taken June 1980, after the devastating May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, scale 1:124,000. May 18 mudflows went from right to left. Width of the mudflow at the center of the photograph is approximately 1/2 mile. Comparing to image above, note changes in Hoffstadt Creek, which joins the North Fork Toutle River at right of Camp Baker. Aerial photograph taken June 19, 1980, courtesy Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 25 M]
Mount St. Helens - Before and After - from Spirit Lake
	MSH80_st_helens_spirit_lake_before_may_18_1980.jpg Before the devastating May 18, 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens was considered to be one of the most beautiful and most frequently-climbed peaks in the Cascade Range. Spirit Lake was a vacation area offering hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. USFS Photograph taken before May 18, 1980, by Jim Nieland, U.S. Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 17 M]
	MSH82_st_helens_spirit_lake_reflection_05-19-82.jpg Mount St. Helens and the devastated area is now within the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, under jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service. Visitor centers, interpretive areas, and trails are being established as thousands of tourists, students, and scientists visit the monument daily. Mount St. Helens is once again considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting of the Cascade volcanic peaks. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M] ... [TIF Format, 48 M]
Mount St. Helens - Before and After - from Johnston Ridge
	MSH80_st_helens_from_johnston_ridge_05-17-80.jpg BEFORE: Mount St. Helens on May 17, 1980, one day before the devastating eruption. The view is from Johnston's Ridge, six miles (10 kilometers) northwest of the volcano. USGS Photograph taken on May 17, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_st_helens_from_johnston_ridge_09-10-80.jpg AFTER: Mount St. Helens soon after the May 18, 1980 eruption, as viewed from Johnston's Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on September 10, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH84_st_helens_from_johnston_ridge_09-24-84.jpg AFTER: Mount St. Helens four years after the May 18, 1980 eruption, again as viewed from Johnston's Ridge. Note the growth of the lava dome in the crater and the development of the drainage channels around the volcano's flanks. USGS Photograph taken on September 24, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
Mount St. Helens - Before and After - Other Views
	MSH80_mount_st_helens_from_chehalis_04-12-80.jpg BEFORE: A steaming Mount St. Helens as seen from Interstate 5, at Chehelis, Washington. USGS Photograph taken on April 12, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_mount_st_helens_from_chehalis_02-28-81.jpg AFTER: A steaming Mount St. Helens as seen from Interstate 5, at Chehelis, Washington. USGS Photograph taken on April 12, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_moonrise_msh_thru_haze_from_chehalis_07-26-80.jpg AFTER: Moonrise through the haze (ash), Mount St. Helens as seen from Interstate 5, at Chehelis, Washington, shortly after the July 22, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on April 12, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH77_st_helens_from_east_of_west_linn_1977.jpg BEFORE: Mount St. Helens from the south, as seen from West Linn, Oregon. USGS Photograph taken in 1977 by Ken Cameron. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_st_helens_from_east_of_west_linn_1980.jpg AFTER: Mount St. Helens from the south, as seen from West Linn, Oregon. USGS Photograph taken in 1980 by Ken Cameron. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Spirit Lake - Before and After
	MSH80_aerial_spirit_lake_from_south_04-10-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE, BEFORE: Spirit Lake before the big May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helenes. Another Cascade volcano, Mount Rainier (14,410 feet [4,392 meters]), is in the distance. The view is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on April 10, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_blast_area_spirit_lake_with_rainier_10-04-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE, AFTER: Spirit Lake, once surrounded by lush forest, is within the area devastated by blast. Remnants of the forest float on the surface of the lake. Another Cascade volcano, Mount Rainier (14,410 feet [4,392 meters]), is in the distance. The view is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on October 4, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
Pyroclastic Flows
	MSH80_USGS_geologist_with_pumice_piece_05-21-80.jpg USGS geologist, Don Swanson, with pumice piece from May 18, 1980 pyroclastic flow. USGS Photograph taken on May 20, 1980, by Pete Lipman.. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_geologists_study_May25_pyroclastic_flow_05-30-80.jpg Geologist study pyroclastic flow from May 25, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on May 30, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF image, 25 M]
	MSH80_USGS_scientist_examines_pyroclastic_flow_05-30-80.jpg U.S. Geological Survey scientist examines pumice blocks at the edge of a pyroclastic flow from the May 18, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on May 30, 1980, by Donald A. Swanson. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_geologist_examines_fumarole_May18_pyro_flow_06-05-80.jpg U.S. Geological Survey scientist examines fumarole on May 18, 1980 pyroclastic flow. USGS Photograph taken on June 5, 1980, photographer unknown. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24M]
	MSH80_fumarole_on_May18_pyroclastic_flow_06-25-80.jpg Fumarole on May 18, 1980 pyroclastic flow. Note pick for scale. USGS Photograph taken on June 25, 1980, by Tom Cascadevall. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24M]
	MSH80_fumarole_on_June12_pyroclastic_flow_07-01-80.jpg Fumarole on June 12, 1980 pyroclastic flow. Note pick for scale. USGS Photograph taken on July 1, 1980, by Tom Cascadevall. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_aerial_June12_pyroclastic_flows_07-13-80_bw.jpg Aerial view, June 12, 1980, pyroclastic flows. Image shows a 1/2 mile-long tongue and its lobes. Flow deposits overlie an older thin tongue of June 12 deposits. Upper left shows pyroclastic flow deposits (light gray) and debris avalanche deposits (dark gray) from the May 18-19 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on July 3, 1980, by Pete Rowley. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Mike Doukas. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80_B.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flow_from_crater_07-22-80_C.jpg Aerial view, pryoclastic flow emerging from Mount St. Helens' crater. USGS Photograph taken at 7:01 p.m., on July 22, 1980, by Harry Glicken. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_july_22_pyroclastic_flows_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, July 22, 1980 pryoclastic flows. Note USGS scientist (at edge of flow, center of image) and helicopter. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_USGS_scientist_at_July22_pyro_flow_07-22-80.jpg Aerial view, USGS Scientist Don Swanson (in red, center of image) examines fresh pyroclastic flow from the July 22, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on July 22, 1980, by Mike Doukas. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF format, 25 M]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_USGS_scientist_from_north_08-07-80_bw.jpg Beginning of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_from_st_helens_crater_08-07-80.jpg During the May 18, 1980 eruption, at least 17 separate pyroclastic flows descended the flanks of Mount St. Helens. Pyroclastic flows typically move at speeds of over 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers/hour) and reach temperatures of over 800 Degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Celsius). Photographed here, a pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption stretches from Mount St. Helens' crater to the valley floor below. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman105.jpg SEQUENCE: Beginnings of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 105. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman108.jpg SEQUENCE: Beginnings of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 108. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman112.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 112. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman113.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 113. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman116.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 116. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman117.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 117. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyro_flow_from_johnston_ridge_08-07-80_Lipman119.jpg SEQUENCE: Pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption. View from Johnston Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman, image 119. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_pyroclastic_flows_august7_on_july22_09-30-80.jpg August 7, 1980 pyroclastic flow on top of July 22, 1980 pyroclastic flow. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_aerial_pyroclastic_flows_10-04-80.jpg Aerial view of pyroclastic flows from crater of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on October 4, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 23 M]
	MSH80_USGS_scientist_toe_pyroclastic_flow_10-17-80.jpg U.S. Geological Survey scientist examines pumice blocks at the toe of a pyroclastic flow. USGS Photograph taken on October 17, 1980, by Terry Leighley, Sandia Labs. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
Steam and Ash Plumes
	MSH80_small_ash_plume_10-10-80.jpg Steam and ash plume rises over Mount St. Helens' east crater rim. Shoestring Glacier is visible on the left. USGS Photograph taken on October 10, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH82_st_helens_plume_from_harrys_ridge_05-19-82.jpg Plumes of steam, gas, and ash often occured at Mount St. Helens in the early 1980s. On clear days they could be seen from Portland, Oregon, 50 miles (81 kilometers) to the south. The plume photographed here rose nearly 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) above the volcano's rim. The view is from Harrys Ridge, five miles (8 kilometers) north of the mountain. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 20 M] ...
	MSH83_st_helens_with_ash_steam_plume_04-04-83.jpg Ash and steam plume at Mount St. Helens, as seen from the Pumice Plain. USGS Photograph taken on April 4, 1983, by Pat Pringle. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH83_ash_steam_plume_from_dome_04-29-83.jpg Small ash and steam plume from top of Mount St. Helens dome. View from the south crater floor. USGS Photograph taken on April 29, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH83_ash_steam_plume_from_dome_closeup_04-29-83.jpg Closeup of small ash and steam plume from top of Mount St. Helens dome. View from the south crater floor. USGS Photograph taken on April 29, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Crater and Dome Images
	Crater and Dome Images [Click]
Monitoring
	Monitoring Images [Click]
Lakes and Reservoirs ... also see "Elk Rock Lake Breakout" and "Other Debris Avalanche Lakes" below ...
Castle Lake
	MSH80_newly-formed_castle_creek_lake_06-25-80.jpg CASTLE LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake (pictured here) and Coldwater Lake were created. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on June 25, 1980, by Tom Casadevall. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_castle_lake_07-11-81.jpg CASTLE LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake (pictured here) and Coldwater Lake were created. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on July 11, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_castle_lake_early_morn_from_ridge_above_10-09-81.jpg CASTLE LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake were created. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. View is early morning, looking at Castle Lake from the ridge to the south. Burning debris pile at edge of the lake is by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who were digging a channel to stablize the water level in Castle Lake and prevent overtopping the debris dam creating the lake. USGS Photograph taken on October 9, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_castle_lake_exit_channel_10-31-81.jpg CASTLE LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake were created. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. View is looking at the exit channel at Castle Lake being dug by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The channel would stablize the water level in Castle Lake and prevent overtopping the debris dam creating the lake. USGS Photograph taken on October 9, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH84_castle_lake_debris_avalanche_march_1984.jpg CASTLE LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake (pictured here) and Coldwater Lake were created. Scientists and engineers estimated that a breach of the debris dam at Castle Lake could unleash mudflows and floods comparable to those triggered by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken in March 1984 by Robert L. Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size]
Coldwater Lake
	MSH80_newly-formed_coldwater_creek_lake_06-20-80.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (pictured here) were created. USGS Photograph taken on June 20, 1980, by Tom Casadevall. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_north_south_coldwater_lakes_with_ridge_09-30-80.jpg NORTH and SOUTH COLDWATER LAKES: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and two lakes at Coldwater Creek (pictured here) were created. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_north_coldwater_lake_09-30-80.jpg NORTH COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and two lakes at Coldwater Creek (North Coldwater Creek Lake pictured here) were created. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_south_coldwater_lake_09-30-80.jpg SOUTH COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and two lakes at Coldwater Creek (South Coldwater Creek Lake pictured here) were created. Eventually South Coldwater Creek Lake flowed into North Coldwater Creek Lake, creating a larger lake known as Coldwater Lake. In 1981 an outlet channel was dug at Coldwater Lake to stabilize the lake level and prevent overtopping of the debris dam. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_coldwater_lake_debris_blockage_07-10-81.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (pictured here) were created. In 1981 an outlet channel was dug to stabilize the lake level and prevent overtopping of the debris dam. USGS Photograph taken on July 10, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_coldwater_lake_exit_channel_07-10-81.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (pictured here) were created. In 1981 an outlet channel was dug to stabilize the lake level and prevent overtopping of the debris dam. USGS Photograph taken on July 10, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_coldwater_lake_exit_channel_07-11-81.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (pictured here) were created. In 1981 an outlet channel was dug to stabilize the lake level and prevent overtopping of the debris dam. USGS Photograph taken on July 11, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_coldwater_lake_outlet_channel_10-17-81.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: Outlet channels were built at Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (shown here) to stabilize water levels and prevent overtopping of the debris dams. USGS Photograph taken in October 17, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH82_coldwater_lake_early_warning_gage_10-01-82.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: One major concern to people living downstream of Mount St. Helens was a breakout of any of the impounded lakes, such as Coldwater or Castle Lakes, due to the instability of the debris dams blocking them. Flood waters from a breakout could be more catastrophic than the lahars of May 18, 1980. Gages, such as this Early Warning Gage on Coldwater Lake, were installed at lakes and streams surrounding the volcano. These gages continuously monitored changes in water levels. Major increases or decreases in levels trigger warnings which are telemetered to the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver. USGS Photograph taken on October 1, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH84_debris_avalanche_coldwater_lake_01-13-84.jpg COLDWATER LAKE: Looking across the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche at Coldwater Lake. USGS Photograph taken in January 13, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
Fawn Lake
	MSH80_aerial_blowdown_fawn_lake_10-28-80.jpg FAWN LAKE: Aerial view, blowdown and Fawn Lake. Note Mount St. Helens in the background. Note too USGS scientists in small boat on the lake taking water samples. USGS Photograph taken on October 28, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
Obscurity Lake
	MSH80_blowdown_obscurity_lake_07-06-80.jpg OBSCURITY LAKE: Aerial view, blowdown and Obscurity Lake, northeast of Mount Margaret. USGS Photograph taken on July 6, 1980, by Rick Hoblitt. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 35 M]
Spirit Lake
	MSH80_aerial_spirit_lake_from_south_04-10-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Spirit Lake before the big May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helenes. Another Cascade volcano, Mount Rainier (14,410 feet [4,392 meters]), is in the distance. The view is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on April 10, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_spirit_lake_from_west_09-16-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Spirit Lake, once surrounded by lush forest, is within the area devastated by blast. Remnants of the forest float on the surface of the lake. The view is from the west. USGS Photograph taken on September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_blast_area_spirit_lake_with_rainier_10-04-80.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Spirit Lake, once surrounded by lush forest, is within the area devastated by blast. Remnants of the forest float on the surface of the lake. Another Cascade volcano, Mount Rainier (14,410 feet [4,392 meters]), is in the distance. The view is from the south. USGS Photograph taken on October 4, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M]
	MSH81_st_helens_from_NE_with_spirit_lake_04-25-81.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Aerial view of Mount St. Helens from the northeast, with log-covered Spirit Lake in the lower half. Harry's Ridge is ridge on the right. USGS Photograph taken April 25, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M] ... [TIF Format, 40 M]
	MSH81_spirit_lake_USGS_water_quality_boat_09-16-81.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: USGS hydrologists (in boat, yellow circle) sample Spirit Lake for water quality, one year after the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on September 16, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH82_st_helens_spirit_lake_reflection_05-19-82.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Mount St. Helens and the devastated area is now within the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, under jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service. Visitor centers, interpretive areas, and trails are being established as thousands of tourists, students, and scientists visit the monument daily. Mount St. Helens is once again considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting of the Cascade volcanic peaks. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 18 M] ... [TIF Format, 48 M]
	MSH82_spirit_lake_pump_station_11-02-82.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: From late 1982 through the spring of 1985, a pump station operated at Spirit Lake to maintain that lake at a safe level. Water was released from the pump outlet at a constant rate of 5 cubic meters (175 cubic feet) per second. Without pumping, Spirit Lake was estimated to overtop its debris dam within a year. USGS Photograph taken on November 2, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH83_spirit_lake_pump_station_09-23-83.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: From late 1982 through the spring of 1985, a pump station operated at Spirit Lake to maintain that lake at a safe level. Water was released from the pump outlet at a constant rate of 5 cubic meters (175 cubic feet) per second. Without pumping, Spirit Lake was estimated to overtop its debris dam within a year. USGS Photograph taken on September 23, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH86_spirit_lake_tunnel_10-02-86.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: In the spring of 1985 a permanent tunnel was opened, allowing water to drain out of the Spirit Lake safely. This tunnel is 11 feet (3.4 meters) in diameter and more than 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) in length. The water level of Spirit Lake is now maintained at approximately 100 feet (30 meters) below the estimated overtopping level. USGS Photograph taken on October 2, 1986, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH84_fireweed_on_harrys_ridge_with_spirit_lake_09-04-84.jpg SPIRIT LAKE: Fireweed with Spirit Lake in the background. View from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken in September 4, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
St. Helens Lake
	MSH80_st_helens_lake_07-16-80.jpg ST. HELENS LAKE: St. Helens Lake, north of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken on July 16, 1980, by Tom Casadevall. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Swift Reservoir
	MSH84_aerial_swift_reservoir_swift_dam_06-22-84.jpg SWIFT RESERVOIR: Aerial view, Swift Reservoir and Swift Dam. USGS Photograph taken on June 22, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Elk Rock Lake Breakout August 20 to August 27, 1980
The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche in the North Fork Toutle River dammed the mouths of several tributaries to the North Fork Toutle River creating several new lakes, one being Maratta Lake at the mouth of Maratta Creek. On August 20, 1980, this lake broke through its dam as the water saturated the dam material and then overtopped the blockage. The lake water flowed downstream a short distance where it became trapped behind an earthen obstruction - called a plug - on the hummocky surface of the debris deposit. The plug soon failed and the water moved another four miles farther downstream, where it collected behind another plug and formed a 250-acre-feet lake near Elk Rock. This new lake, called "Elk Rock Lake", presented a flood hazard. On August 22, 1980, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tried to dig a channel to drain the lake, but failed. On August 27 after a rainstorm this plug failed on its own accord, resulting in damage to heavy channel-maintenance equipment downstream. There were no injuries or deaths. The flood waters of the Elk Rock Lake breakout also destroyed some temporary bridges and portions of access roads along the Toutle River as far downvalley as the town of Toutle.
	MSH80_maratta_lake_after_breaching_08-22-80.jpg Maratta Lake (upper waters) breached on August 20, 1980. Its waters created Elk Rock Lake (not in image but 4 miles downstream) on the debris avalanche. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_before_breaching_08-22-80.jpg View of Elk Rock Lake, located on the debris avalanche filling the Toutle River valley, on August 22, 1980. Five days later, on August 27, 1980, Elk Rock Lake breached, sending a wave of water down the Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_two_helicopters_on_debris_avalanche_08-22-80.jpg USGS helicopter and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) helicopter sitting on debris avalanche next to Elk Rock Lake. On August 22, 1980, COE attempted to dig a channel to drain Elk Rock Lake under controlled conditions, instead of letting the lake breach itself. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_on_debris_avalanche_with_helicopter_08-22-80.jpg USGS hydrologists heading back to helicopter after assessing the hazards at Elk Rock Lake. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_with_COE_08-22-80.jpg Downstream end of Elk Rock Lake looking at low point in debris avalanche plug blocking the lake. Note U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees trying to dig a channel to drain Elk Rock Lake. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_COE_attempt_breach_08-22-80.jpg U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees digging channel to try and drain Elk Rock Lake. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_COE_attempt_breach_08-22-80_B.jpg U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees digging channel to try and drain Elk Rock Lake. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_COE_attempt_breach_08-22-80_C.jpg U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees digging channel to try and drain Elk Rock Lake. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_COE_attempt_breach_08-22-80_D.jpg Aerial view of the channel the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees dug attempting to drain Elk Rock Lake. Very little water went through and the debris plug held the lake back. It wasn't until 5 days later, after a rainstorm, that Elk Rock Lake breached and sent a flood of water downvalley, reaching the town of Toutle and destroying equipment and temporary bridges and roads along its path. USGS Photograph taken August 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_elk_rock_lake_after_breaching_08-27-80.jpg On August 27, 1980, Elk Rock Lake breached, sending a wave of water down the Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken August 27, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Other Debris Avalanche Lakes
The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche in the North Fork Toutle River dammed the mouths of several tributaries to the North Fork Toutle River creating several new lakes such as Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake (see above), Maratta Lake and Elk Rock Lake (see above), Jackson Creek Lake, and Magura Lake. New lakes also formed on the debris avalanche, such as the Carbonate Springs Lakes. All of these lakes were in danger of breaching, sending flood waters down the Toutle River valley and damaging structures in their paths.
	MSH80_carbonate_lakes_breach_09-16-80.jpg CARBONATE SPRINGS LAKES: The Carbonate Springs Lakes formed on the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche. They breached into one another in September 1980. USGS Photograph taken September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_carbonate_lakes_breach_09-30-80.jpg CARBONATE SPRINGS LAKES: The Carbonate Springs Lakes formed on the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche. They breached into one another in September 1980. USGS Photograph taken September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_carbonate_lakes_breach_09-16-80_B.jpg CARBONATE SPRINGS LAKES: Two USGS hydrologists looking along the breach. The Carbonate Springs Lakes formed on the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche. They breached into one another in September 1980. USGS Photograph taken September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_carbonate_lakes_breach_09-16-80_C.jpg CARBONATE SPRINGS LAKES: The Carbonate Springs Lakes formed on the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche. They breached into one another in September 1980. View looking at the breach. Note two USGS hydrologists in the breach on the right. USGS Photograph taken September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_jackson_creek_lake_09-20-80.jpg JACKSON CREEK LAKE: Jackson Creek Lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Jackson Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. The U.S. Corps of Engineers dug a small control channel to keep Jackson Creek Lake from breaching. The lake breached however on February 20, 1982, when the North Fork Toutle River flowed into Jackson Lake, and caused it to overflow and fail. The estimated peak discharge from the failure was 477 cubic meters per second. USGS Photograph taken September 20, 1980, by Bob Schuster. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_jackson_creek_lake_COE_breach_09-30-80.jpg JACKSON CREEK LAKE: Jackson Creek Lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Jackson Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. The U.S. Corps of Engineers dug a small control channel to keep Jackson Creek Lake from breaching. The lake breached however on February 20, 1982, when the North Fork Toutle River flowed into Jackson Lake, and caused it to overflow and fail. The estimated peak discharge from the failure was 477 cubic meters per second. USGS Photograph taken September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_jackson_creek_lake_07-11-81.jpg JACKSON CREEK LAKE: Jackson Creek Lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Jackson Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. The U.S. Corps of Engineers dug a small control channel to keep Jackson Creek Lake from breaching. The lake breached however on February 20, 1982, when the North Fork Toutle River flowed into Jackson Lake, and caused it to overflow and fail. The estimated peak discharge from the failure was 477 cubic meters per second. USGS Photograph taken July 11, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_magura_lake_09-16-80.jpg MAGURA LAKE: This lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Magura Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_magura_lake_COE_breach_09-16-80.jpg MAGURA LAKE: This lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Magura Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken September 16, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_magura_lake_01-14-81.jpg MAGURA LAKE: This lake was formed by the May 18, 1980 debris avalanche creating a dam at Magura Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Toutle River. In September, 1980, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dug a drainage channel, to prevent the lake from overtopping and sending floodwaters downstream. Discoloration upper left is glare from helicopter window. USGS Photograph taken January 14, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
Rivers, Creeks, Streams
	MSH80_may18_lahar_toutle_river_I-5_bridge_07-06-80.jpg Toutle River, looking downstream towards the Interstate 5 bridge, from Old Pacific Highway bridge. USGS Photograph taken July 6, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_dredging_toutle_at_I-5_bridge_08-27-80.jpg Dredging the Toutle River: looking downstream towards the Interstate 5 bridge, from Old Pacific Highway bridge. USGS Photograph taken August 28, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_smith_creek_blast_area_channel_incision_09-80.jpg Smith Creek cutting new channel through the blast area. USGS Photograph taken in September 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_muddy_bridge_devastation_09-23-80.jpg Remains of the bridge crossing the Muddy River. USGS Photograph taken on September 23, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_muddy_channel_exposed_stumps_09-22-80.jpg Exposed forest, Muddy Channel. USGS Photograph taken on September 22, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_USGS_hydrologists_measure_erosion_06-26-81.jpg U.S. Geological Survey hydrologists measured changes in erosion along the stream channels affected by the May 18, 1980 eruption. These measurements were used to study the erosion processes and to estimate the severity of the sedimentation problem. The view here is along the Muddy River drainage, approximately one mile (1.5 kilometers) southeast of the volcano's base. Rod person (circled, lower left) and instrument persons (circled, upper right) give scale. USGS Photograph taken on June 26, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_cross_section_survey_upper_pine_creek_10-09-80.jpg USGS hydrologists measure the cross section at Upper Pine Creek. Mount St. Helens steams in the background. USGS Photograph taken on October 9, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_pine_creek_cross_section_10-09-80.jpg USGS hydrologist on rod at cross section along Pine Creek. USGS Photograph taken on October 9, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH80_lower_toutle_mudflow_blowing_ash_07-06-80.jpg Blowing ash and the May 18, 1980 mudflow surface, Lower Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken on July 6, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH81_dredging_toutle_river_02-05-81.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Toutle (shown here), the Cowlitz, and the Columbia Rivers. By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards (110 million meters) of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. USGS Photograph taken on February 5, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH81_dredging_cowlitz_river_02-04-81.jpg In order to remove the May 18, 1980 sediment deposits, and to keep up with new sedimentation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a dredging program on the Columbia, Cowlitz (shown here), and Toutle Rivers. By 1987, nearly 140 million cubic yards of material had been removed from the channels. This is enough material to build twelve lanes of highway, one-foot thick, from New York to San Francisco. View here taken from the middle of the Cowlitz River looking towards the bank. USGS Photograph taken on February 4, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH82_bank_erosion_toutle_river_02-22-82.jpg A major problem to people living downstream of Mount St. Helens was the high sedimentation rates resulting from stream erosion of the volcanic deposits. Streams were continuously down cutting channels, eroding their banks, and eating away at the avalanche and lahar deposits. This material was eventually transported downstream and deposited on the streambeds, decreasing the carrying capacity of the channels and increasing the chances of floods. USGS Photograph taken on February 22, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH82_sediment_sampling_toutle_at_tower_road_12-12-82.jpg USGS hydrologists sample sediment moving down the Toutle River. View at Tower Road. USGS Photograph taken on December 12, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH89_sediment_retention_dam_toutle_river_05-89.jpg In the spring of 1987, construction of a sediment retention dam on the North Fork Toutle River began. This retention dam is designed to help stop the downstream movement of the sediment near where it begins - on the debris avalanche. USGS Photograph taken in May 1989, by Steve Brantley. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH98_hwy504_bridge_across_hoffstadt_creek_04-98.jpg Washington Highway 504 bridge crossing Hoffstadt Creek. USGS Photograph taken in April 1998 by Ed Klimasauskas. [medium size] ... [large size]
Sediment and Erosion
	MSH80_view_downstream_from_upper_muddy_10-24-80.jpg View looking downstream from Upper Muddy. Compare with image below, showing channel erosion. USGS Photograph taken on October 24, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_view_downstream_from_upper_muddy_10-10-81.jpg View looking downstream from Upper Muddy. Compare with image above, showing channel erosion. USGS Photograph taken on October 10, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_pine_creek_bridge_remnant_10-24-80.jpg Remains of the bridge crossing the Pine Creek. Note USGS Hydrologist holding rod for cross section survey. USGS Photograph taken on October 24, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_pine_creek_bridge_remnant_after_storm_03-16-81.jpg Remains of the bridge crossing the Pine Creek. The original bridge was taken out during the mudflows of May 18, 1980. The banks were further eroded during the first major floods of 1981. Compare with image above. Note USGS Hydrologist holding rod for cross section survey. USGS Photograph taken on March 16, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH80_hillslope_erosion_upper_smith_09-28-80.jpg Denuded hillslope, upper Smith Creek. USGS Photograph taken on September 28, 1980, by Holly Martinson. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_hillslope_erosion_upper_smith_09-30-81.jpg Denuded hillslope, upper Smith Creek, one year later. USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
Debris Retention Dams
During August and into September, 1980, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was in the middle of building two rock-filled temporary sediment-control dams - one on the North Fork Toutle River and one on the South Fork Toutle River - designed to trap sediment from the May 18, 1980, debris avalanche. Sediment was expected to be moving downstream during the winter rains and these two temporary dams would give planners two years to develop a more permanent sediment solution. The North Fork Toutle dam was 6,100 feet long and 43 feet high. As of September 30, the structure on the North Fork Toutle - located 20.7 miles upstream from the Toutle mouth - was 90 percent completed. When finished it would have a spillway capacity of 8,300 cubic feet per second and a sediment-storage capacity of 2,400 acre-feet. The structure on the South Fork - located 7.0 miles upstream from the Toutle mouth - was done. It had a spillway capacity of 10,000 cubic feet per second and a sediment-storage capacity of 210 acre-feet.
	MSH80_construction_NFT_debris_retention_dam_08-27-80.jpg Construction of the North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1". USGS Photograph taken on August 27, 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_NFToutle_sediment_retention_structure_MSH_10-15-81.jpg North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1", one year after construction. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_NFToutle_sediment_retention_structure_10-15-81.jpg North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1", one year after construction. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_NFToutle_sediment_retention_structure_10-15-81_B.jpg North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1", one year after construction. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH83_NFToutle_sediment_retention_structure_04-04-83.jpg North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1", two and one-half years after construction, and full of sediment. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH83_NFToutle_sediment_retention_structure_04-04-83_B.jpg North Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "N1", two and one-half years after construction, and full of sediment. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH89_sediment_retention_dam_toutle_river_05-89.jpg In the spring of 1987, construction of a permanent sediment retention dam on the North Fork Toutle River began. This retention dam was designed to help stop the downstream movement of the sediment near where it begins - on the debris avalanche. USGS Photograph taken in May 1989, by Steve Brantley. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH81_SFToutle_debris_retention_dam_05-15-81.jpg South Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "S1". This structure operated for more than a year and was removed in 1982 to allow for migratory fish passage. USGS Photograph taken on May 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
	MSH81_SFToutle_sediment_retention_dam_05-15-81_B.jpg South Fork Toutle River Debris Retention Dam "S1:. This structure operated for more than a year and was removed in 1982 to allow for migratory fish passage. USGS Photograph taken on October 15, 1981, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 25 M]
Regrowth and Recovery
	MSH80_tree_protected_by_snowbank_toutle_river_06-18-80.jpg Tree protected by snowbank from the May 18, 1980 eruption, along the Toutle River. USGS Photograph taken June 18, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 22 M]
	MSH80_avalanche_lilies_above_st_helens_lake_06-20-80.jpg Avalanche Lilies in bloom above St. Helens Lake, north of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken June 20, 1980, by Pete Lipman. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 22 M]
	MSH80_revegetation_msh_NW_flank_06-25-80.jpg Revegetation on the northwest flank of Mount St. Helens. USGS Photograph taken June 25, 1980, by Tom Casadevall. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH80_bear_tracks_in_ash_and_pumice_october_1980.jpg Animals also made a comeback soon after the May 18, 1980 eruption. Many smaller animals, such as gophers, mice, frogs, fish, and insects were hibernating below ground or under water on May 18, 1980, and they survived the blast. Larger animals such as bear (whose tracks are shown here), elk, deer, and coyotes have been moving back into the area as their food supplies increase. A mountain goat has even been spotted high on the flanks of the volcano. USGS Photograph taken in October 1980, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 22 M]
	MSH84_st_helens_from_harrys_ridge_fireweed_august_1984.jpg Fireweed is one species of plantlife which has returned to Mount St. Helens' devastated area. Vegetation began reappearing as early as the summer of 1980 as many small trees and plants were protected by the snowpack on May 18. Seeds, carried by the wind or by animals, also entered the area and grew. By 1985, the ridges surrounding the volcano were covered with new growth. USGS Photograph taken in August 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH84_fireweed_on_harrys_ridge_with_spirit_lake_09-04-84.jpg Fireweed with Spirit Lake in the background. View from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken in September 4, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH86_smith_creek_drainage_looking_north_06-86.jpg Smith Creek drainage looking north. USGS Photograph taken in June 1986, by David Wieprecht. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH86_new_growth_smith_creek_june_1986.jpg New growth in Smith Creek drainage. USGS Photograph taken in June 1986, by David Wieprecht. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH89_regrowth_north_fork_toutle_05-15-89.jpg New growth, North Fork Toutle River drainage. USGS Photograph taken in May 15, 1989, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
View from Harrys Ridge
	Monitoring images from Harrys Ridge [Click]
	MSH82_st_helens_plume_from_harrys_ridge_05-19-82.jpg Plumes of steam, gas, and ash often occured at Mount St. Helens in the early 1980s. On clear days they could be seen from Portland, Oregon, 50 miles (81 kilometers) to the south. The plume photographed here rose nearly 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) above the volcano's rim. The view is from Harrys Ridge, five miles (8 kilometers) north of the mountain. USGS Photograph taken on May 19, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 20 M] ...
	MSH82_st_helens_from_harrys_ridge_09-01-82_bw.jpg Mount St. Helens as seen from Harrys Ridge, 5 miles to the north. USGS Photograph taken on September 1, 1982, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Image, 15.5 M] ...
	MSH83_crater_dome_new_lobe_from_harrys_ridge_02-11-83.jpg Mount St. Helens' crater, lava dome, and new lobe on the east, as seen from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on February 11, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH83_crater_dome_spine_from_harrys_ridge_03-02-83.jpg Mount St. Helens' crater, lava dome, and spine on new lobe on the east, as seen from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on March 2, 1983, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 24 M]
	MSH84_st_helens_from_harrys_ridge_01-09-84.jpg Mount St. Helens as seen from Harrys Ridge, 5 miles to the north. USGS Photograph taken on January 9, 1984, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Image, 24 M] ...
	MSH86_st_helens_night_shot_new_lobe_10-22-86.jpg The last dome-building eruption of Mount St. Helens during the 1980s occurred in October 1986. A new lobe was extruded, increasing the dome's height to 925 feet (282 meters), making it taller than a 77-story building. In volume, the dome was nearly 40 times the size of Seattle's Kingdome stadium. In this 30-minute, moon-lit exposure, hot rock from the new lobe is seen glowing on top of the dome. The view is from Harrys Ridge, five miles (8 kilometers) north of the volcano. USGS Photograph taken on October 22, 1986, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Format, 19M]
	MSH87_st_helens_from_harrys_ridge_05-06-87.jpg Mount St. Helens as seen from Harrys Ridge, 5 miles to the north. USGS Photograph taken on May 6, 1987, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Image, 25 M] ...
	MSH87_st_helens_crater_from_harrys_ridge_05-06-87.jpg Mount St. Helens crater and dome as seen from Harrys Ridge, 5 miles to the north. USGS Photograph taken on May 6, 1987, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size] ... [TIF Image, 25 M] ...
	MSH89_mount_st_helens_from_harrys_ridge_05-15-89.jpg Mount St. Helens' crater and dome from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on May 15, 1989, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]
	MSH89_crater_dome_from_harrys_ridge_05-15-89_bw.jpg Mount St. Helens' crater and dome from Harrys Ridge. USGS Photograph taken on May 15, 1989, by Lyn Topinka. [medium size] ... [large size]

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