10/21/08
I decided to put off hitting the coast a little longer. Mt. St. Helens was relatively close by, and prospect of visiting a volcano that had a major eruption the same year I was born was too tempting to pass up. Besides, I figured the coast will probably still be there no matter how far South I go.
It’s an interesting drive along the road to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. At one point you pass a sign that reads “Entering Blast Zone”. All of the trees beyond this point have obviously been planted at the same time and it’s strange to see an entire “forest” of trees exactly the same age. As you approach the observatory, the landscape changes even more dramatically as the area has been kept exactly as Mt. St. Helens left it in 1980. In order to show the impact the blast had on the area, the trees have been left, sawn over by the blast, and splintered just a couple feet above the ground.
The facility at the end of the road is quite well done. There is a short film showing, step by step all the events that happened during the 1980 eruptions. It manages to be very informative, with being too cheesy or over the top.
Heading back west towards I-5, I was treated to another nice photo opportunity as the sun was setting.
I continued South stopping in Vancouver, WA for the night.
View Larger Map
Tags: Eruption, Mt. St. Helens
November 17, 2008 at 7:25 pm |
This post blows. Its spews boringness. But don’t get too hot-headed over my insults. I’m just trying to let off some steam.
November 18, 2008 at 6:04 pm |
I give this post both a magnitude 4.2, and, a day later, a magnitude 5.1., or maybe a 5 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
November 18, 2008 at 7:58 pm |
you need to work on your delivery ben.
You blow at a category 5 saffir-simpson