Mount St. Helens

A few years after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, we took a drive to the blast zone as soon as the Forest Service opened it back up. Here's what stood out to me: Unless another car passed you by on the road, there was not a single sound to be heard on this sunny day. No birds, no insects,......nothing. Just absolute unsettling silence. These pictures are old, but the astounding effects of the blast remain.

All photos Copyright BobMorganPhoto

Approaching the stark line of the blast zone where the damage ended.
Looking downhill at part of the blast zone.
Spirit Lake in the distance.
Closer view of Spirit Lake with all of the blown down trees lining the shores.
Warning to not trample the struggling regeneration.
Trees blown down into Spirit Lake
Opposite shore of Spirit Lake - just like a moonscape. Nothing left.
Trenches and valleys leading down the side of the mountain.
Long distance view of Spirit Lake from the opposite side.
Mountainside stripped bare.
Looking downhill from the road.
Another shot downhill into the blast zone.
The moonscape of desolation
Winding road down. NOTE: the headlights of the car in the distance coming down, gives scale to the destruction.
Moonscape desolation
Life struggling to return under the logs.
The roads in the background show the complete destruction.
Looking downhill from the Miner's Car site.
Car coming around the bend of a hill. The ash cloud left nothing.
More destruction from another view.
Car winding its way up the roadside.
Nothing to keep it company, a flower tries its best.
Downhill from Miner's Car
Looking to the side from Miner's Car.
The Miner's Car Site.
Life and Death in minutes....they never saw it coming.
Remains of the car.
Another shot of the car.
Closer view of the car.