Residents across Washington and northern Oregon were reminded Tuesday of the destructive power of Mt. St. Helens as strong winds stirred decades-old ash from the historic 1980 eruption. While the volcano itself remains dormant, the sight of drifting ash sent many scrambling to social media.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) emphasized, “There is no change in Volcano Alert Level or Aviation Color Code at this time. Mount St. Helens remains at normal, background levels of activity.” Winds of 30-50 mph drew the ash around the crater, and a prolonged dry spell—less than 25% of average rainfall in the past month—contributed to the airborne plumes.
“This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occasionally occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions in the Mount St. Helens area,” the USGS clarified. However, they cautioned that “resuspended volcanic ash should be considered hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and respect for natural hazards. With the easterly winds expected to calm, the ash will likely settle, but the memory of May 18, 1980, when the eruption killed 57 people and devastated the region, remains vivid.
