"How life bounces back from epic destruction On May 18, 1980, people all over the world watched with awe and horror as Mount St. Helens erupted in southwestern Washington. Fifty-seven people were killed, and hundreds of square miles of what had been lush forests and wild rivers were to all appearances destroyed. While most people thought of the eruption as a catastrophe, a small, ragtag team of ecologists did not. For them, the eruption of Mount St....

"When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, every living thing in the blast zone was buried. However, life began to bloom again, and biologist Charlie Crisafulli has been documenting the return of plant and animal life. Also the mountain, like the wildlife, is coming back to life. Nova presents a pioneering look at the interplay between biology and geology that may help scientists predict future volcanic eruptions" -- Publisher.

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with fury. Triggered by the largest landslide ever recorded, a devastating lateral blast blew off the entire northern side of the volcano. Searing hot gasses, traveling at 650 miles per hour, scorched trees nearly twenty miles away. The mountain instantly lost 1300' in elevation. A slurry of mud, ash and melting ice inundated the landscape, which was then buried in 540 million tons of ash, and fifty-seven...

"Takes a local and regional perspective in looking back on the mountain's history, the frenzied days surrounding the eruption, and its aftermath." -The Oregonian In the spring of 1980, Mount St. Helens awoke from a century-long slumber with a series of dramatic changes. Most threatening was a bulge on the side of the snowy peak, pushing steadily outward. Near Spirit Lake, local resident Harry Truman refused to leave his lodge, even as scientists like...