The Cascade mountain range boasts many beautiful sights for Pacific Northwesterners to behold, but only one peak has the explosive history that so many remember first hand. Mt. St. Helens, located in Southwestern Washington, just 50 miles NE of Portland, is one of several lofty volcanic peaks that dominate the Cascade Range of the Pacific NW. According to mtsthelens.com, “The Cascade Range extends from Mount Garibaldi in British Columbia, Canada, to Lassen Peak in northern California. Geologists call Mount St. Helens a composite volcano (or stratovolcano), a term for steepsided, often symmetrical cones constructed of alternating layers of lava flows, ash, and other volcanic debris. Composite volcanoes tend to erupt explosively and pose considerable danger to nearby life and property. In contrast, the gently sloping shield volcanoes, such as those in Hawaii, typically
erupt nonexplosively, producing fluid lavas that can flow great distances from the active vents. Although Hawaiian-type eruptions may destroy property, they rarely cause death or injury. Before 1980, snow-capped, gracefully symmetrical Mount St. Helens was known as the “Fujiyama of America.” Mount St. Helens, other active Cascade volcanoes, and those of Alaska form the North American segment of the circum-Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a notorious zone that produces frequent, often destructive, earthquake and volcanic activity.
Some Indians of the Pacific Northwest variously called Mount St. Helens “Louwala-Clough,” or “smoking mountain.” The modern name, Mount St. Helens, was given to the volcanic peak in 1792 by Captain George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy, a seafarer and explorer. He named it in honor of a fellow countryman, Alleyne Fitzherbert, who held the title Baron St. Helens and who was at the time the British Ambassador to Spain. Vancouver also named three other volcanoes in the Cascades, Mounts Baker, Hood, and Rainier, for British naval officers. The tranquility of the Mount St. Helens region was shattered in the spring of 1980, however, when the volcano stirred from its long repose, shook, swelled, and exploded back to life. The local people rediscovered that they had an active volcano in their midst, and millions of people in North America were reminded that the active, and potentially dangerous volcanoes of the United States are not restricted to Alaska and Hawaii”. 57 people were lost in the eruption of 1980.
Now, this beautiful area is an amazing place to explore and get an up close look at history and geology. If you’re looking for an exciting and beautiful place to unplug and get your family into the great outdoors, this is the place for you. You can visit The Forest Learning Center, which is free to enjoy. Children can play on the playground, climb inside the real helicopter, and visit the exciting eruption chamber. The Forest Learning Center also has a fantastic gift shop, perfect to pick up your souveniers. Make a stop at th Johnston Ridge Observatory, named for David Johnston, who was camped out observing the volcano, and lost his life when it blew. Hiking, climbing, and exploration options are abundant, the sights are mind-blowingly beautiful, and the Mt. St. Helens KOA offers RV camping with all the amenities you expect froma KOA. Go to https://koa.com/campgrounds/st-helens/site-type/rv-camping-sites/ to read about the different RV sites available and to reserve your space online. Do you remember when she blew? I do… I was a little kid and living in Montana. I remember having to wear a mask when going outside because of all of the ash in the air. Share your memories of that time, or your adventures exploring this area with us here, or on our Facebook page. We love to hear from you!
photo credit:Melissa H (Pinterest)
