Mount St. Helens

The human-engineered tunnel that drains Spirit Lake on Mount St. Helens is buckling because of geological activity. If ignored, it could burst, sending millions of gallons of water cascading into towns below.

The U.S. Geological Survey puts on the weeklong camp in conjunction with the Mount St. Helens Institute. The students hiked to places on the mountain to see large mounds called hummocks, and learned about the modern technologies geologists use to monitor volcanoes.

Amateur archeologist Scott Kemery leads a team on expeditions to uncover the artifacts left behind by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Their discoveries shed light on the human experience amidst the devastation and honor the memories of those who died.

Everyone who was in the Pacific Northwest on May 18, 1980 has some kind of story about the Mount St. Helens eruption. OPB producer Ian McCluskey recently revisited that fateful day with some people who remember it very well for both personal and professional reasons.

The U.S. Forest Service has OK'd a plan to develop what would be the first overnight tourist facilities within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, including camping, cabins and a lodge.

The Forest Service has given a Canadian company permission to explore for gold and copper in the shadow of Mount St. Helens.

The U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to allow exploratory mining near Mount St. Helens.

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell said Monday that she’s concerned about an exploratory mining project that’s proposed on Goat Mountain, just north of the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.