Three-Day Eruption Commemoration Planned at Mount St. Helens

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The Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens Institute are holding a three-day commemoration of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens Saturday, May 16, through Monday, May 18. 

On Saturday, May 16, “It’s a Blast” is the opening day of the Johnston Ridge Observatory overlooking the crater of Mount St. Helens. This is a family-friendly science education event with admission fees ($8 adults, kids free) supporting the non-profit Mount St. Helens Institute’s volcano volunteer and education programs. The event is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  

From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, “Eruption Eyewitness Stories” is an event at the Science and Learning Center that features a series of 30-minute talks by people whose lives were forever altered by their experiences at Mount St. Helens. Photos and stories describe the incredible events leading up to the catastrophic 1980 eruption and the massive landslide, lateral blast, mudflows and ash cloud that followed. Meet eruption eyewitnesses and leave with an autographed poster or book. Admission is free. 

The Johnston Ridge Observatory is at the end of state Highway 504.



On Monday, May 18, Join Forest Service officials at 10:30 a.m. at the Science and Learning Center for a ceremony commemorating the 1980 eruption. From noon to 4 p.m. there will be “Celebration of 35 Years of Science Discovery,” featuring 20-minute presentations by scientists describing their amazing discoveries at the volcano and posters and hands-on science demonstrations. 

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet a remote “spider” instrument package used to monitor eruptions at active volcanos. Admission is free.  

The Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center is located on state Route 504, 43 miles east of Interstate 5. Take Exit 49 off Interstate 5 and head east on state Route 504. Continue past the turn-off to Johnston Ridge and continue straight ahead a short distance and into the Science and Learning Center parking lot.