Ep 18. Mt. St. Helens Back From the Dead

In this episode of NOVA titled "Mt. St. Helens Back From the Dead," the viewers are taken on a journey to explore one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in modern history. Mt. St. Helens, a stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, erupted on May 18, 1980, leaving a path of destruction in its wake that still lingers to this day.

The episode starts with a brief history of the mountain, including how it was formed and its previous eruptions. It then quickly moves on to the events leading up to the 1980 eruption, including the seismic activity that had been recorded in the months, weeks, and days prior to the event. Scientists at the time were monitoring the volcano closely, but the scale and speed of the eruption still caught many off guard.

The episode then dives into the immediate aftermath of the eruption, which left a trail of destruction that stretched for hundreds of miles. The amount of ash and debris that was thrown into the air was staggering, with some estimates putting it at over 500 million tons. The ash cloud traveled as far as 2,200 miles away, and the effects were felt as far as the eastern shores of the United States.

Viewers are able to see firsthand the impact that the eruption had on the surrounding area, including destroyed homes, barren landscapes, and the loss of life. But amidst the devastation, the episode also highlights the resilience of nature. Despite being blanketed in ash and having entire forests wiped out, the area around the volcano is slowly beginning to recover.

The episode then shifts its focus to the ongoing scientific research that is being conducted in the area. Scientists continue to monitor Mt. St. Helens, both as a means of understanding the volcanic processes at work and for keeping watch for any signs of future eruptions. In fact, some scientists believe that the next eruption of the volcano may be imminent, though they are quick to caution that it is impossible to predict exactly when or to what extent such an event may occur.

The episode then explores how scientists are using the lessons learned from Mt. St. Helens to study other volcanoes around the world, including in Iceland and Hawaii. By collecting data on how and why volcanoes erupt, scientists hope to be able to one day predict such events with greater accuracy, potentially saving countless lives in the process.

All in all, "Mt. St. Helens Back From the Dead" is a fascinating and informative look at one of the most significant geological events in recent history. From the initial eruption to the ongoing research into the volcano and its processes, the episode covers a wide range of topics and provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in geology, earth science, or natural disasters. Whether you're a student, a scientist, or just someone curious about the world around you, this episode of NOVA is well worth a watch.