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Period: to
In the months leading up to the eruption
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Low level seismic activity begins
Low level seismic activity begins and there are a number of very small earthquakes recorded over the next two weeks; the earthquakes were not recognized as an immediate precursor to possible volcanic activity. -
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurs; it is unlike any that had been previously detected.
Seismologists decided to deploy additional seismometers in order to better monitor future activity. Scientists from around the world came to the area to study the earthquakes. Local media began featuring Volcano Alerts as part of the daily news. -
Earthquakes and steam-driven explosions occur off and on through April 18. People begin to lose interest in the volcano's activity because the events were not spectacular.
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State officials ask the Governor to close a large area around the volucano. The plan called a a Red Zoe (no public access) and a Blue Zone (estricted access).
Emergency services are frustrated becuse the public appears to remain unaware of the danger. People who worled in the forests around the mountain logging trees were allowed to enter the Red Zone during the work week; however, people who lived in the red zone were evacuated - except for Harry Truman who would not leave. -
Small explosions of steam and ash are emitted from the volcano. Intermittent earthquakes up to the magnitude 4.9 occurs. Harry Truman becomes a media star. The small explosions continue through May 13.
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Law enforcement officials escorted 50 carloads of property owners into the Red Zone to retrieve possessions.
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Mt. St. Helens erupts at 8:32 a.m. PST on Sunday, May 18, 1980.
Fifty-seven people died in the eruption. If it had been a weekday, hundreds of loggers would have been working in the forests around the mountain and the death toll would have been higher.
