Ex-SciComms guy Chris here, chronicling Mount St. Helens' history: the mountain before 1980, its eruptive fury, and nature's stunning comeback. Links/email: https://linktr.ee/mountsthelensarchivehttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlrp3crgi226Mulligan. I'm being lazy. [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 May 2026 01:46 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrp3crgi226https://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlrfgeeiqk2sMay 13, 1980 KGW's Boyd Levet reports on today's eruptive activity while flying above Mount St. Helens. You can see for yourself the ash cloud that caused the FAA some anxiety. Additionally, about two minutes in, you can briefly see David Johnston demonstrating lab work with ash samples. https://youtu.be/L1QHHpWUE6Y?t=3613 May 2026 22:53 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlrfgeeiqk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlqoslbet32hMay 13, 1980 False alarms and rumors. "Lava is flowing down the mountain," someone called into KING-TV in Seattle. The station didn't air it, but the rumor spread quickly as newsrooms called scientists to confirm. "It was a rumor spread by people trying to confirm a rumor," said USGS's Bob Decker.13 May 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqoslbet32hhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlqoslbet32hMay 13, 1980 False alarms and rumors. "Lava is flowing down the mountain," someone called into KING-TV in Seattle. The station didn't air it, but the rumor spread quickly as newsrooms called scientists to confirm. "It was a rumor spread by people trying to confirm a rumor," said USGS's Bob Decker.13 May 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqoslbet32hhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlorw4tnmt2jMay 12, 1980 A M5.0 earthquake shook Mount St. Helens at 9:26 a.m. — felt as far away as Longview. An avalanche of snow and ice breaks off Forsyth Glacier, between Goat Rocks and Dogs Head on the north face, flowing to the timberline. Not the catastrophic slide warned about, but larger than most.12 May 2026 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlorw4tnmt2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mloaxtslha23May 12, 1980. A Seattle news crew reports to the Skamania County Sheriff's Office that Harry Truman wanted out. Portland's KOIN-TV dispatched a helicopter. Deputy Barker drove in. Two Cowlitz deputies followed. Truman, drink in hand: "Whoever said I wanted out is a liar and a troublemaker."12 May 2026 16:55 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mloaxtslha23https://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlnx5bzhvc2vMay 12, 1980 | Six Days to Eruption Once, the view from Bear Cove on Spirit Lake was beautiful — a pristine, snowcapped mountain and an untouched forest. Today, USGS scientist Robert Decker sees something different. The north face has pushed outward more than 300 feet.12 May 2026 13:59 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnx5bzhvc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlmjoamzlk2yCan't you tell I'm absolutely fascinated with the history of mass media? [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 May 2026 00:26 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlmjoamzlk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlm53cxz3s2hMay 11, 1980 The camera shutter snaps on Reid Blackburn's Nikon as the snow-dusted, bulging peak of Mount St. Helens sputters steam and ash eight miles southeast. Blackburn, 27, was a photographer for The Columbian in Vancouver, Washington. Newlywed to Fay the previous August. A born professional.11 May 2026 20:40 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlm53cxz3s2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlmgzmqwfk2yI've heard some requests across my accounts for help visualizing where people and landmarks were around Mount St. Helens in May 1980. You're in luck. Fellow eruption historian Kelly Michals created a custom Google Map of key sites around the mountain. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1CchUgw_ngpBJ14-X8Ecza5I2D8HwQ9YE&ll=46.23007322382834%2C-122.24846813784356&z=1011 May 2026 23:38 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlmgzmqwfk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlm53cxz3s2hMay 11, 1980 The camera shutter snaps on Reid Blackburn's Nikon as the snow-dusted, bulging peak of Mount St. Helens sputters steam and ash eight miles southeast. Blackburn, 27, was a photographer for The Columbian in Vancouver, Washington. Newlywed to Fay the previous August. A born professional.11 May 2026 20:40 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlm53cxz3s2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mllqubw7nj2fMay 11, 1980 | T-7 Days to Eruption Small bursts of steam and ash, fifth day in a row. Ten earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater. A new fumarole on the upper Shoestring Glacier. The bulge bulged. In the press, most scientists had quietly stopped saying "if St. Helens erupts." Now, it's "when."11 May 2026 17:02 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllqubw7nj2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mllgjxqfqk2jMay 4, 1980 Unemployed radio technician Robert Rogers, left, has climbed Mount St. Helens several times since it awoke in March. Today, he's a guest of Portland State professors Len Palmer and Paul Hammond, their students, and NBC Today's David Burrington. Pausing a beat, a few poses for a photo.11 May 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllgjxqfqk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlk2u72gws2eMay 10, 1980 Skamania County Sheriff Bill Closner, Cowlitz Sheriff Les Nelson, and Skamania Deputy George Barker drove up to Spirit Lake with a plan. They knew Harry Truman had painted himself into a corner, so they'd quietly take him to his property in Prindle, no press, to save face.11 May 2026 00:55 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlk2u72gws2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlk2u72gws2eMay 10, 1980 Skamania County Sheriff Bill Closner, Cowlitz Sheriff Les Nelson, and Skamania Deputy George Barker drove up to Spirit Lake with a plan. They knew Harry Truman had painted himself into a corner, so they'd quietly take him to his property in Prindle, no press, to save face.11 May 2026 00:55 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlk2u72gws2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlj2bl2sdc2jMay 10, 1980 | T-8 Days Scientists couldn't publicly agree on whether to predict an eruption at Mount St. Helens. UW seismologist Steve Malone said there's at least an even chance of a magmatic event. PSU's Leonard Palmer agreed and warned that lava from a dome eruption could be very explosive.10 May 2026 15:12 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlj2bl2sdc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlj2bl2sdc2jMay 10, 1980 | T-8 Days Scientists couldn't publicly agree on whether to predict an eruption at Mount St. Helens. UW seismologist Steve Malone said there's at least an even chance of a magmatic event. PSU's Leonard Palmer agreed and warned that lava from a dome eruption could be very explosive.10 May 2026 15:12 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlj2bl2sdc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlhmrzbqvc2sMay 9, 1980 The meeting Don Mullineaux missed two nights ago — turned around on I-5 by a black plume over the mountain — finally happens. 130 Toutle residents fill Toutle Lake High School seeking answers from the figurehead of the scientific community. It has been an uneasy month-and-a-half.10 May 2026 01:38 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlhmrzbqvc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlhekaisfm2tMay 9, 1980 | 11:06 a.m. A sharp quake hits St. Helens. At Coldwater II, 5.5 miles away, USGS's Harry Glicken feels it first in the trailer — dishes rattling, the whole structure rolling. He steps outside and notes it in his log: a roar fading over roughly 30 seconds, punctuated by muffled reports.09 May 2026 23:10 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlhekaisfm2thttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlgl6curx22sMay 9, 1980 | T-9 Days KIRO reports from the Toutle Valley: Spirit Lake could vanish if the bulge on Mount St. Helens breaks, sending a wall of water, rock, and mud barreling downriver. In Toutle, schools have practiced loading all 600 students, faculty, and staff onto school buses in under 15 min.09 May 2026 15:36 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgl6curx22shttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlf65afu3c2dMay 1, 1980 KATU's Stan Wilson flies to the summit crater of Mount St. Helens with Portland State geologist Tom Benson. Though the volcano hasn't erupted since April 22, they're dancing with danger. Ground seeps steam while rockfalls echo around the massive pit. It's an eerie yet awesome sight.09 May 2026 02:11 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlf65afu3c2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlf65afu3c2dMay 1, 1980 KATU's Stan Wilson flies to the summit crater of Mount St. Helens with Portland State geologist Tom Benson. Though the volcano hasn't erupted since April 22, they're dancing with danger. Ground seeps steam while rockfalls echo around the massive pit. It's an eerie yet awesome sight.09 May 2026 02:11 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlf65afu3c2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mleras7mjd2oMay 8, 1980 | T-10 Days Muddy rain falls on the Timberline monitoring station. USGS geologist Jim Moore works the theodolite through the weather as Mount St. Helens keeps erupting. Ash blows north and east. The crater steams continuously. So does Shoestring Glacier and The Boot on the cone.08 May 2026 22:20 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mleras7mjd2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/mountsthelens1980.bsky.social/post/3mlbnwk5qrs2tMay 7, 1980 | 11 Days to Eruption After more than two weeks of relative quiet, Mount St. Helens erupts again. At 5:57 p.m., the volcano coughs out a 13-minute burst of steam. About a half hour later, at 6:23 p.m., a second eruption sends ash 13,000 feet high. Activity continues through the night.07 May 2026 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:g2pgiogj2d5g2csxnkckrxt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbnwk5qrs2t