A Cloudy Reminder of the Past
ST. HELENS, Wash. — Residents in Southwest Washington and Oregon looked twice Tuesday morning when webcams showed a thick cloud of ash swirling around Mount St. Helens. For a moment, it resembled the start of a volcanic eruption. But officials quickly clarified: the mountain is not erupting.
Instead, the cloud was made up of old volcanic ash from the catastrophic 1980 eruption, lofted back into the atmosphere by strong seasonal winds.
What the Cameras Saw
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program’s webcams captured striking images of greyish-brown ash plumes rising from the mountain’s slopes. The images were shared widely online, fueling speculation.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) Portland swiftly stepped in to calm concerns.
“Morning everyone. 1st: Mt. Saint Helens is NOT erupting,” the agency posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Volcanic ash from the 1980s is being lofted back into the air from the strong east winds.”
No Immediate Air Quality Impacts
As of midday, there were no reports of air quality problems in nearby communities. The winds carried the ash toward the west-northwest, keeping most of it suspended in the higher atmosphere.
Officials stressed that the ash cloud is not connected to any volcanic activity. The mountain remains quiet, with no changes in seismic readings or other signs of unrest.
Why Old Ash Still Matters
More than 40 years after the May 18, 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens’ legacy remains etched into the landscape. The eruption, one of the most destructive in U.S. history, blasted more than 1,300 feet off the volcano’s summit, killed 57 people, and spewed hundreds of millions of tons of ash across multiple states.
That ash never fully disappeared. It settled in valleys, ridges, and deposits around the mountain. Under the right conditions — such as strong winds, landslides, or wildfires — the fine particles can be lifted back into the air.
Health Precautions if Ash Falls
Airborne volcanic ash, whether freshly erupted or decades old, poses potential health risks. The fine particles can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Prolonged exposure may be especially harmful to people with asthma, respiratory conditions, or weakened immune systems.
Experts recommend the following if ash begins to fall in your area:
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Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.
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Use a mask, bandana, or cloth to cover your nose and mouth if you must go outside.
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Protect sensitive equipment and electronics, since ash is abrasive and conductive.
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Avoid driving unless necessary, as ash can reduce visibility and damage engines.
So far, officials say no such measures are needed for communities around Mount St. Helens.
Watching the Mountain
The USGS continues to monitor Mount St. Helens and the broader Cascade Range through a network of seismographs, cameras, and satellites. While the mountain has experienced minor activity in the decades since 1980 — including dome-building eruptions between 2004 and 2008 — it has been largely quiet in recent years.
For curious residents, the USGS maintains an “Ashcam,” which provides live images of conditions around the volcano.
A Reminder of Nature’s Power
Though harmless this week, the swirling ash is a vivid reminder of the mountain’s violent history. For many in the Pacific Northwest, it underscores both the lingering impact of past eruptions and the importance of preparedness for future volcanic events.
The ash cloud may have been nothing more than dust in the wind — but for those who lived through 1980, it was an eerie flashback to a day that changed the region forever.
