On May 18, 1980, the course of Washington’s history was changed forever when Mount St. Helens erupted. The incident was not without warning, but no one was fully prepared for what ended up being the most disastrous volcanic eruption in United States history. And while time has brought some changes and regrowth, the mountain will never look the same.
![](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mount-St.-Helens-National-Volcanic-Monument-15237018282-700x525.jpg)
From far away, you’d never guess what once occurred here.
![](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20170709_104605_dp-35029375153-700x465.jpg)