Mount St. Helens, located in southwestern Washington State, erupted on May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Before the eruption, the elevation of the volcano had been 9,677 feet. Afterward, it was 8,363 feet, having lost 1,314 feet in elevation. The explosion blew out the northwest side of the mountain and pulverized about a third of the volcano, which turned into mud and ash. The ash cloud blackened the sky as it traveled eastward, leaving detectable amounts of ash over an area of 22,000 square miles. The ash cloud reached a height of about 80,000 feet in less than 15 minutes after the eruption. It spread across the U.S. in 3 days and circled the globe in 15 days. In all, 1.4 billion cubic yards of ash were thrown into the air by the eruption of Mount St. Helens. From Mount St. Helens 1980 Eruption, a guide to the printed and archival sources about the Mount St. Helens eruption available at the University of Washington Libraries.
See pages of this guide for videos, photos, books, government documents, and more about the topic of WSA's 2025 Summer All-School Read: the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.
May 18, 1980 - with a gallery of photos from before, during and after the eruption
Eyewitness Accounts - books and videos that tell the stories of those who were there that day
Epilogue: After the Blast - Mount St. Helens, 45 years later
Summer Reading 2025: Remembering Mount St. Helens invites the entire West Sound Academy community—students, faculty, and staff—to embark on a shared journey of discovery this summer through Mountain of Fire: The Eruption and Survivors of Mount St. Helens by Rebecca E.F. Barone. This is the narrative nonfiction account of the violent volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the stories of the people who died, those who survived, and the heroes who fought to raise an alarm. The author uncovers the resilience of those who lived through the historic 1980 eruption and delves into the power of nature’s forces.
We are encouraging students and staff to connect with family and friends who experienced the event firsthand. Collect their stories and photos over the summer, and share them with your class on the first day of school. Together, we’ll explore the history, science, and personal narratives of Mount St. Helens, culminating in an all-school assembly and panel discussion in September that brings the past vividly to life.
(3:47) On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens became the largest and most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. By the end of its cycle of fire and fury, 57 people had died. From the series: Make It Out Alive
(2:29) Mount St. Helens sits quietly now, but her legacy is one of devastating destruction. From Aerial America: Washington
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Susan Trower