The Pacific Northwest is rich in volcanoes. They vary in size, shape, and range from small volcanic cinders to majestic ice-covered mountains. The Cascade Range runs from Northern California to Northern Washington and contains many well known peaks such as Mount Ranier located in Washington and Mount Shasta located in California (Harris, 1988). People are continually taking these magnificent landforms for granted. We go skiing, and hiking and do many other recreational sports a top these so called sleeping mountains. On May 18, 1980 at 8:32am, one of the mountains in the Cascade Range exploded such fury that those who were to witness and survive it will never forget. On that fateful day in May 1980, Mount Saint Helens erupted and affected the lives of thousands of people living in Washington State, USA.

             Before the eruption, Mount Saint Helens was a vibrant, thriving mountain ecosystem. Home to a diverse range of wildlife and plants such as the black bear, mountain lion, mountain goat, forest sage and grouse, pheasant, beaver and many others (Aylesworth and Aylesworth, 1983). In addition, many recreational seekers for skiing, hiking, rock-climbing and camping enjoyed the rugged yet beautiful area of Mount Saint Helens. Just seconds after Mount Saint Helens erupted, the once famous landscape and views were abolished.

             Following the eruption, it was a desolate, barren and empty landscape. The toll that Mount Saint Helens took on the wildlife, vegetation and humans was devastating. After viewing the aftermath of the explosion, President Jimmy Carter said, "the moon looks like a golf course compared to what"s up there"(The Columbian Inc., p59, 1980).

             Geologic History.

             Mount Saint Helens is composite or stratovolcano. The United States Geological Society website defines a stratovolcano or composite volcano as a steep, conical volcano built by the eruption of viscous lava flows, tephra, and pyroclastic flows.