The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens damaged or destroyed vegetation on more than 66,100 hectares (270,000 acres) within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The effects of the eruption on planting sites and seedling performance were unknown. Regeneration of "cut over" lands near Mount St. Helens has historically been limited...
The Mount St. Helens eruption of May 18, 1980, offered an
excellent setting for evaluating early response of ecosystems to
disturbance. Prior to the eruption, the area was densely forested
with fir, hemlock, and Douglas-fir, and various understory species.
During the course of the eruption, hillslopes within a 180 degree...