Mouint St. Helens: The big blast was 33 years ago today

On the morning May 18, 1980, Keith Stoffel, then a DNR employee, took this photo while on a sightseeing flight over Mount St. Helens. It is the only known image of the initial eruption. Photo: Keith Stoffel (c) 2010.

The explosion of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, produced a powerful blast that destroyed 230 square miles of national, state and private forest, and took 57 lives. Some of those who died from powerful shock waves and clouds of hot ash and superheated gases were several miles away. Others drowned when  lahars — mud flows – spilled down local valleys and river beds.

Today, a 110,000-acre area around the mountain is a National Volcanic Monument. The mountain has been a lot quieter since the events of May 18, 1980; several steam eruptions occurred in 2004, but caused no injuries or deaths.

DNR’s Geology and Earth Resources Division works with the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies to monitor Mount St. Helens and the other active volcanoes in Washington State.

Read more about Keith Stoffel’s narrow escape from the mountain’s blast after snapping today’s photo, and learn more about the eruption on our Mount St. Helens information page.

More photos of Mount St. Helens are on the DNR Flickr page.

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Mount Rainier: Regional landmark is also nation’s most potentially dangerous volcano

The community of Orting, Washington, is built on top of 500-year-old lahar debris from Mount Rainier (rear). Photo: USGS.

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. On the eve of tomorrow’s anniversary of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, DNR Ear to the Ground has featured one of the state’s five active volcanoes each day this week. Today, the spotlight is on Mount Rainier.

Because of its elevation (14,410 feet), massive icecap, glacier-fed valleys, and proximity to Seattle and Tacoma suburbs, Mount Rainier is the most potentially dangerous volcano in the nation — it’s also ranked among the top ten most-most dangerous in the world. According to the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program, there hasn’t been a major eruption on Mount Rainier in 1,000 years, but an explosive eruption (a la Mount St. Helens) isn’t the primary concern. Mount Ranier can generate huge lahars — rapidly flowing slurries of mud and boulders — even without an eruption. Avalanches caused by heated rock or volcanic gases can swiftly melt snow and ice and produce torrents of meltwater that pick up loose rock and become a lahar.

In its role as the state’s geological survey, DNR mapped the routes of past Mount Rainier lahars. The most destructive — and most likely — lahar routes are on the mountain’s north and west sides. A lahar here could feed into the Puyallup River valley where cities, towns and housing developments have been built on top of lahar deposits from as recently as 500 years ago.

DNR estimates that a moderately large lahar in the Puyallup River valley would cause $6 billion or more in damages to structures and other property. Large lahars of the past have reached Puget Sound via the Nisqually River Basin, Commencement Bay and Elliott Bay, including the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

Have you given much thought to the potential of a large lahar from Mount Rainier? Has it influenced your decisions on where to live or work? Join the discussion on DNR’s Facebook page.

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Mount Baker: Tons of snow and ice atop a sleeping volcano

As the second-most glaciated mountain in the Cascades, an volcanic eruption on Mount Baker could produce deadly lahars in several populated river drainages. Photo: USGS.

Volcano Awareness Month and our countdown to the 33rd anniversary of the Mount St. Helens, May 18, 1980, eruption continue with a look at Mount Baker. The main hazards posed by this active volcano in central Whatcom County are debris flows and debris avalanches from its considerable glaciers and snowpack–events that can occur even without a volcanic eruption.

Mount Baker has been mostly quiet since the mid-19th century when several explosions were seen from Bellingham – a mere 30 miles due west. It perked up in 1975 with several large emissions of volcanic gases. As the second-most glaciated mountain in the lower 48 states, Mount Baker presents similar mudslide dangers as Mount Rainier (the mountain with the largest glacier cover in the lower-48 states).

It’s quiet… for now.  

Tahuya River Horse Camp to close temporarily, starting May 17

Click on the map for a larger view.

Reports of misuse and dangerous behavior have prompted DNR to temporarily close the Tahuya River Horse Camp, beginning Friday, May 17.  We are working with the Tahuya Focus Group and law enforcement to find a solution that will enable us to reopen the campground as soon as possible.

As manager and steward of Washington’s state trust lands, DNR is committed to providing safe and sustainable experiences for recreation users. We also know that most of the people who like to recreate on these lands are law-abiding citizens who want to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, the actions of a few often affect the majority.

Working together to practice safe and sustainable recreation will help ensure that we—and future generations—have access to these lands.
DNR will continue to do everything it can to provide a safe recreational experience for its many users. We hope to reopen the Tahuya River Horse Camp as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Stay tuned for updates on the reopening of the Tahuya River Horse Camp. For more information, contact Doug McClelland, 206-920-5907.

Find out about other recreation opportunities on state trust lands at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

About state trust lands

Washington state trust lands provide a continuous flow of revenue for specific beneficiaries—such as K-12 education—and benefits for the public. Recreation access to these lands is permitted, provided the activities are compatible with DNR’s management obligations.

Mount Adams: Majestic giant has been quiet lately but still poses a threat

Mount Adams as seen from Mount St. Helens in this aerial photo. Photo: USGS.

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. As we approach the 33rd anniversary of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, DNR Ear to the Ground is featuring one of the state’s five active volcanoes each day this week. Today the spotlight is on Mount Adams.

One of the largest volcanoes in the Cascade Range, Mount Adams has been less active during the past few thousand years than its neighbors (Mounts St. Helens, Rainier, and Hood). The most common type of eruptions over the long history of Mount Adams have been lava flows–streams of molten rock–which created a volcanic field that now covers about 500 square miles of the landscape in Skamania, Yakima, Klickitat, and Lewis counties and the Yakima Indian Reservation. Even if there is no eruption, landslides of weakened rock originating on the steep upper flanks of Mount Adams can spawn dangerous lahars, which are watery flows of volcanic rocks and mud that surge downstream like rapidly flowing concrete.

Here is the current alert status for Cascade Range volcanoes from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory.

DNR and its Division of Geology and Earth Resources help map, monitor and educate the public, governments and others about geologic hazards, including volcanoes, such as Mount Adams.

Have you been to Mount Adams lately? Join in the discussion on DNR’s Facebook page.

Glacier Peak: A volcano that may be out of sight for most, but not out of mind

Glacier Peak viewed from the east. Photo: USGS.

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. In the week leading up to the 33rd anniversary of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, DNR Ear to the Ground is featuring one of the state’s five active volcanoes each day.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013: Glacier Peak. Located in a wilderness area in eastern Snohomish County, Glacier Peak is not easily visible from any major metropolitan centers, and so the hazards (and attractions) of this 10,451-foot peak may get overlooked. Yet, Glacier Peak has produced larger and more explosive eruptions than any other Washington volcano except Mount St. Helens. Glacier Peak is only 70 miles from Seattle, which puts it closer to the state’s largest metropolitan area than any volcano except Mount Rainier.

Eruptions of Glacier Peak have characteristically produced large volumes of volcanic ash and airborne pumice that could endanger the closest centers of population. The last major eruption of Glacier Peak was around the year 1700.

We want our awareness-raising about Washington State volcano threats to encourage preparation and not raise unnecessary alarm, so here is the very latest on alert levels for Cascade Range volcanoes from the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory.

DNR and its Division of Geology and Earth Resources help map, monitor and educate the public, governments and others about geologic hazards, including volcanoes.

Join our discussion on Facebook about your favorite volcano in Washington State.

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May is Volcano Awareness Month

Mount St Helens, May 18, 1980. Photo: DNR.

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. This Saturday, May 18, will mark 33 years since the deadly explosion of Mount St. Helens. The eruption produced a blast that, traveling at the speed of sound, mowed down thousands of acres of forest and showered hot ash and gases across the landscape. Fifty-seven people died, including two people who were watching the eruption some 25 miles away from the mountain.

Helping us to prepare for the next time one of the state’s five active volcanoes threatens to erupt is the Washington Emergency Management Division with some helpful reminders.

Visit the website of the U.S. Geological Survey to view an informative, illustrated paper about Mount St. Helens and what the mountain has been up to since 1980. Throughout the week, we will look at what’s known about Mount St. Helens and the four other active volcanoes in our state: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. And we should not forget Mount Hood, just over the border in Oregon, which is considered the most potentially hazardous of the five active or potentially active volcanoes in Oregon.

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Volunteer at a National Trails Day event and make a difference!

Trails Day 2012 volunteers in Blanchard Forest. Photo by: Diana Lofflin, DNR

The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is June 1. With the recent heat wave, it’s a great time to get out there and enjoy some of Washington’s beautiful trails. Celebrate National Trails Day® by volunteering to improve and develop the trails you love, at one of the many Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) events.

National Trails Day® is a celebration of the vast system of trails in the United States. All across the country organizations, as well as individuals, are organizing events to encourage people to experience the nature that surrounds them.

National Trails Day® is also a day to celebrate the volunteers that make it all possible. For every breathtaking view we have the chance to experience, there’s a volunteer who gave their time to share it with us.

Introduce a friend to Washington’s beautiful trails and invite them to one of these National Trails Day® volunteer events on June 1.

Tiger Mountain National Trails Day Event® – Near Tacoma

Help DNR and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance construct a new non-motorized trail in East Tiger Mountain State Forest. To join in the fun, please sign-up through the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

Volunteers work on the Tarbell Trail. Photo: Josh Riepe, DNR

Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail Maintenance Day June 1- National Trails Day – Near Colville

Come out to Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail and help get the trails ready for the busy season. Volunteers will clear trails of brush, limbs, and other debris. We will also be working to replace boards on bridges, clean out culvert headwalls, and digg out or install waterbars.

Blanchard Forest National Trails Day® Event – Near Bellingham

Join a variety of groups as they work together to clean up Blanchard Forest. There is work for all skill and fitness levels. North Cascade Soaring Club, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Skagit Chapter BCHW, Whatcom Chapter BCHW, and Whatcom Trails Cooperative are co-sponsoring the event.

Selah Cliffs NAP National Trails Day Event® – Near Yakima

Help pull knapweed along the valley bottom and clean-up the interpretative trail at Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve. Bring along work gloves, sturdy work shoes, lunch, water, sunscreen, and small digging tool if possible. Some tools will be available to use.

Reiter Foothills National Trails Day Event® – Near Gold Bar

Volunteers will work on ATV trails. Please bring your ATV and trailer to haul rock. If you don’t have one, there will also be opportunities to use powered wheel barrows, install signs, and other activities to build trails.

Tarbell Trail National Trails Day® Volunteer Event, Yacolt Burn – Near Vancouver

The Chinook Trail Association and volunteers will work on the Tarbell Trail between the L1300 Road and Cold Creek Day use area. We will harden the trail, do drainage maintenance, and possibly install skid resisters on puncheons.

Wedekind Trail National Trails Day® Volunteer Event, Capitol State Forest – Near Olympia

Join the Friends of Capitol Forest in replacing a section of old wooden puncheons with a number of culverts and improving drainage along the trail. Volunteers will also work on rehabbing the Wedekind Trail to remove fallen rocks and debris from the C-Line fire and fire fighting operations.

National Trails Day® on Mailbox Peak – Near North Bend

Join DNR and the Mountains to Sound Greenway at mailbox peak to continue construction of the new sustainable hiking trail. Visit the Mountains to Sound Greenway website to sign up for the event.

Nicholson Horse Trails Maintenance - Near Elbe

Join DNR and the Pierce County Backcountry Horsemen to do maintenance on Nicholson Horse Trail. Backcountry Horsemen will provide a late lunch at the end of the day for the trail workers.  Coffee and sweets in the morning!

Mt Tahoma Trails Maintenance June 1 and June 2- Near Ashford

Mt. Tahoma Trails Association and DNR will be working together to do trail maintenance on June 1 and June 2. To join in the fun meet at the Ashford Fire Station, at 29815 Hwy 706 E, by 10 a.m. Dinner on Saturday will be provided in Ashford by the Mt Tahoma Trails Association.

We’ll see you on the Trails!

If you’d like to know more about volunteer opportunities on DNR managed lands check out the DNR volunteer events page.

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DNR weekend reading: Economic value of urban trees, forests shifting northward and other stories

A snag like this one in Capitol State Forest can provide shelter and forage to birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. Photo: Jessica Payne/DNR.

Here are links to articles about natural resources, climate, energy and other topics published recently by universities, scientific journals, organizations, and other sources:

US Forest Service: US urban trees store carbon, provide billions in economic value
America’s urban forests store an estimated 708 million tons of carbon, an environmental service with an estimated value of $50 billion, according to a recent U.S. Forest Service study. The annual net carbon uptake by these trees is estimated at 21 million tons and their economic benefit at $1.5 billion.

NASA–Jet Propulsion Laboratory: NASA Opens New Era in Measuring Western U.S. Snowpack
A new NASA airborne mission has created the first maps of the entire snowpack of two major mountain watersheds in California and Colorado, producing the most accurate measurements to date of how much water they hold. The agency plans to exand the mapping to other mountain watersheds.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: New Study: As Climate Changes, Boreal Forests to Shift North and Relinquish More Carbon Than Expected
Boreal forests will likely shift north at a steady clip this century. Along the way, the vegetation will relinquish more trapped carbon than most current climate models predict.

University of Wisconsin: Decline in snow cover spells trouble for many plants, animals
In a warming world, winter and spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere is in decline, putting at risk many plants and animals that depend on the space beneath the snow to survive the blustery chill of winter.

University of Calgary: Human impacts on natural world underestimated
A comprehensive five-year study by University of Calgary ecologists indicates that conservation research may not giving enough consideration to the influence of human activity on natural ecosystems and food chains.

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Cle Elum community is the 100th ‘Firewise Community/USA’ in state

Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark congratulates residents of a community near Cle Elum for reducing wildfire threats to their homes. Photo: Janet Pearce/DNR.

Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark joined with other officials this morning in Cle Elum to congratulate residents of Hidden Valley Meadows/Vista Community for becoming the 100th Firewise Community in the state. At a special event this morning, residents of the Kittitas County community displayed wildfire prevention techniques they put in place to protect their homes and property from fire. The Hidden Valley Meadows/Vista Community was evacuated, but spared from, last year’s destructive Taylor Bridge Fire, which came within a mile of the development.

CLICK on image to see eight simple actions you can take that will greatly reduce wildfire risks to your home. Image: firewise.org.

Communities can earn national recognition from the Firewise Communities/USA® Program for taking steps to reduce wildfire threats to their homes and other structures.

Attending this morning’s event with Goldmark were several members of the media, along with representatives from the Washington Conservation Commission, Kittitas County Fire District #7, Kittitas County Commission, Kittitas County Conservation District, and Skagit Conservation District.

We’ve already had several wildfires this year in Washington State, and the fire season just begun. Here are eight things you can do this weekend to improve the odds of your home surviving a wildfire.

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