On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted violently, marking one of the most significant volcanic events in U.S. history. Triggered by a 5.1-magnitude earthquake, the eruption caused the largest landslide ever recorded, followed by a lateral blast that flattened over 230 square miles of forest. The explosion launched ash 15 miles into the atmosphere and killed 57 people, including scientists, loggers, and local residents.

This episode revisits the weeks of warning signs leading up to the eruption, the tragic stories of those who stayed behind, and the incredible scientific breakthroughs that followed. It also explores the long-term ecological recovery of the area and how Mount St. Helens became a natural laboratory for understanding volcanic behavior and resilience.

The eruption of Mount St. Helens wasn’t just a display of raw geologic power—it was a turning point in volcanic science, emergency preparedness, and our collective respect for Earth’s dormant giants.