When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 amid earthquakes and avalanches, it became the deadliest and most costly volcanic eruption in US history. The energy unleashed was eight times more powerful than every bomb dropped during WWII combined -- including the two atom bombs! The north face of the mountain collapsed and the massive avalanche triggered by the explosive blast toppled nearly 150 square miles of forest; destroying bridges, roads, buildings and tragically killing 57 people.
Today, Mount St. Helens is a national monument where scientists continue to monitor the still-active volcano and adventurers can spend days exploring the mesmerizing landscapes. We go inside the remarkable two mile-long Ape Cave -- the longest lava tube in the lower 48 -- hike through uncharted new and old growth forests in search of an elusive waterfall and then climb to the summit where the forces of magma and lava have formed a new dome that is rapidly growing in size each year. Scientists say Mount St. Helens will definitely erupt again -- so we better hurry!
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