Mt St Helen's, Windy Ridge view point is on the northeast side of the mountain. Mt St Helen's erupted on May 18, 1980, in Washington state. The mountain was shaken by a earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale. The north side of the mountain collapsed in the explosion and about 230 square miles of forest was blown down & buried beneath the debris. This was the largest landslide in recorded history and more than 1,300 feet was removed from the summit as it swept awayk the north side of the mountain. The debris of earth, ice, mud traveled down the mountain at an estimated 175 MPH as it choked Spirit Lake and the Toutle River Valley.
A mushroom shaped column of ash rose several thousands of feet and gray ash fell over much of eastern Washington. The elevation of the mountain dropped from 9,677 feet to its present day 8,363 feet.
What was once the 9th highest peak in Washington state was suddenly reduced to the 30th highest peak. The intense high pressure/high temperature steam that escaped, instantly turned more than 70% of the snow and glacial ice on the mountain to water. This massive movement of rock, ash, water and downed trees swept into Spirit Lake and down the north fork of the Toutle River Valley at speeds in excess of 175 miles per hour.
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
On the way to St Helen's
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake
Description of what happen
Windy Ridge View Point
Windy Ridge View Point
Windy Ridge View Point
Windy Ridge View Point
Windy Ridge View Point
Windy Ridge View Point
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