The Seattle Traveler

Today is the anniversary of the famous Mount St. Helens eruption. Twenty seven years ago, on May 18th, 1980, this active stratovolcano, located just about 100 miles south of Seattle, blew it’s top — literally and figuratively.

The Mount St. Helens eruption has the unfortunate distinction of being the deadliest volcanic event in US history. Fifty seven people were killed, and 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railway, and 185 miles of highway were destroyed. The mountain stood a bit shorter after the eruption, measuring nearly 1,500 feet less than it originally did, and the peaked top is now a horse-shoe shaped crater.

Prior to the date of the eruption, there had been months of volcanic activity, along with a moderate earthquake, so when she finally blew, it was not terribly surprising. Many area residents, however, refused to evacuate. The most famous of the residents was 84-year old Harry Truman, who had lived near the mountain for over 50 years. He refused to leave his home, and became quite the colorful character during the months before the eruption. Truman was killed in the eruption, and his body was never found.

The ash and debris from the eruption was blown through much of the state, blanketing some cities and towns with a silty and oily debris. The city where I was living, about 70 miles to the north of the mountain, only received light dusting of volcanic ash. The damage done in other cities where the ash was more heavily concentrated was immense.

Ask a Seattle-ite where they were when the mountain blew. Most will have a story to tell you.

Photo credit: USGS

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