On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Clocking in at a five on the volcanic explosivity index, the eruption not only covered the Pacific Northwest with 540 million tons of ash, but left our newspapers, books, and family photo albums coated with some truly surreal snapshots.
From a mountain climber's "oh no" moment to a glimpse at the smoke billowing above the clouds, here are 22 captivating photos from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
1
“May 18, 1980: Two Children pose as Mt. St. Helens explodes behind them.”
2
“18th May - 1980, Mt St Helens exploded in Washington state. Picture was taken by Richard Lasher. He decided he'd take a look at the mountain once again before it blew, so he drove up to see the mountain. While driving, the mountain exploded. He jumped out of the car and snapped this photo.”
3
“A group of men donning masks in the aftermath of the Mount St. Helen's explosion 40 years ago today.”
4
“Little League game taking place in Lewis County Washington,1980, with Mount St. Helens erupting in the background.”
5
“A man water skiing as Mount St. Helens erupts in the background, May 18th 1980.”
6
“My brother playing in the ash from the Mount Saint Helens eruption. 1980 - Yakima WA.”
7
“The volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, May 18, 1980.”
8
"My uncle ... during the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption (he was fine)."
9
“1980: 20-image composite of Mt. St. Helens mushroom cloud taken from Toledo, Washington. Cloud was 40 miles wide and 15 miles high.”
10
“Volcanic ash from Mt. St. Helens falls like snow over Yakima, WA. 1980.”
11
“A geologist stands on State Highway 504, which is covered in a 2m/6ft solidified mudflow near the town of Toutle, northwest of Mount St. Helens. 1980 (Colorized by OP).”
12
“The streets of Yakima, Washington are dark at 3:00 PM after an eruption at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Light gray volcanic ash covered the streets and passersby wore masks to avoid breathing the ash.”
13
“1980, eruption of Mt. Saint Helens as viewed by climbers on nearby Mt. Adams.”
14
“My dad photographed Mt. St. Helens erupting. This is from June 1980, after the main eruption.”
15
“A young couple kiss as they prepare to board a Spokane City bus, on May 27, 1980. Spokane residents had to wear face masks while outside days after the Mount St. Helens eruption because of possible health risks from volcanic ash sprayed over the area on May 18.”
16
“Mt. Saint Helens, the day after its eruption. 48 hours before this picture was taken, the mountain was 1000 feet taller and had no mile-wide crater. May 19, 1980.”
17
“Mount St. Helen's erupting in Washington State - July 22, 1980.”
18
“A man in Spokane roller skates while sweeping volcanic ash from the explosion of Mount St. Helens in Washington, 1980.”
19
“Someone in Yakima, Wash., tried to find humor in the situation, taking a sign for St. Helens Street and placing it in some ash to reflect this road's condition after Mount St. Helens erupted. Yakima is about 50 miles east of the volcano as the crow flies. May 18th 1980.”
20
“Aftermath of the 1980 Mount St. Helen's eruption - 1980.”
21
“Mike Clinton of Yakima, Washington shovels volcanic ash off pf the sidewalk following the eruption of Mount St Helens, May 20, 1980.”
