It was a quiet Sunday morning, at 8:32 a.m., 38 years ago when Mount St. Helens blew its top, sending tons of ash into the sky. The volcano had been quiet since the 1850s, but in 1980, geologists were ...

This weekend will mark the 44th anniversary of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, a profound event for anyone who remembers it or who has read the stories, and seen the photos and video.

NPR Correspondent Howard Berkes covered the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens and has reported on changes at the volcano since. In an essay for NPR.org, Berkes recalls the massive blast of May 18, ...

Mount St Helens, Washington viewed from Portland, Oregon. Source: Ilan Kelman The volcano Mount St. Helens in Washington state exploded at 8:32 a.m. on May 18th, 1980, exactly 40 years ago.