Mount St. Helens, an active volcano located in the Cascade Range
of the Pacific Northwest, erupted on Sunday, May 18, 1980,
killing 57 people, destroying 250 homes, and burying roads.
Volcanic mudflow, called “lahar,” destroyed acres of mountain
vegetation, including Weyerhaeuser’s Mount St. Helens Tree Farm.
The downed trees had to be salvaged quickly to avoid damage from
insects and the environment. Photographer Frank Gohlke first
visited Mount St. Helens in the summer of 1981. He has
documented the changing landscape with his large format view
camera over the course of several years.