After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens

by Eric Wagner

A CHOICE OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC TITLE

On May 18, 1980, people all over the world watched with awe and horror as Mount St. Helens erupted. Fifty-seven people were killed and hundreds of square miles of what had been lush forests and wild rivers were to all appearances destroyed.

Ecologists thought they would have to wait years, or even decades, for life to return to the mountain, but when forest scientist Jerry Franklin helicoptered into the blast area a couple of weeks after the eruption, he found small plants bursting through the ash and animals skittering over the ground. Stunned, he realized he and his colleagues had been thinking of the volcano in completely the wrong way. Rather than being a dead zone, the mountain was very much alive.

Mount St. Helens has been surprising ecologists ever since, and in After the Blast Eric Wagner takes readers on a fascinating journey through the blast area and beyond. From fireweed to elk, the plants and animals Franklin saw would not just change how ecologists approached the eruption and its landscape, but also prompt them to think in new ways about how life responds in the face of seemingly total devastation.

Genres: Nature, Science, Nonfiction, Environment, Natural History, Ecology, Plants

264 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Ben Goldfarb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the opportunity to blurb this book for UW Press; here's what I wrote: "After the Blast unleashes a pyroclastic flow of wonder and surprise as it tracks the astonishing transformation of Mount. St. Helens’ ecosystems. Eric Wagner chronicles the greatest unplanned experiment in ecological history with exuberant curiosity, keen observational powers, and self-deprecating good cheer. Wagner’s book is an impassioned ode to the scientific method and the irrepressible resilience of the natural world."

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few histories about the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, and a lot of them talk about the rumblings leading up to the eruption, the eruption itself, what happened/how it happened (flows this way, ash that way), who died where, and how the eruption changed the landscape of the mountain and the surrounding area, especially the physical shape of the mountain. What I don't think I've ever read in any of these books, though, is how the eruption changed the ecology of the mountain's landscape, and how the ecology "recovered" (I use quotes because there's even a section that discusses what a "recovery" really means, and whether a landscape/ecosystem actually "recovers" or is instead in a constant state of change) after the eruption. This book is more like the science of what happened *on* the mountain *after* the eruption, rather than what happened *in* the mountain *leading up to* the eruption. It's a nice companion to the other books, and an aspect I've only thought about (pardon the pun) on the surface level, not in-depth.

Plus, Wagner's a great storyteller. This isn't a boring "Here's some science" book; it's a fascinating *story*, and I often felt like I was there, looking at the plants, gazing across the mountain, hearing the elk.

[Wendy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a big book, but it's packed with big ideas, big issues, and giants in the field of ecology. I wasn't expecting a book about a volcano to be so full of fascinating people, but the scientists Wagner follows are more passionate and exciting than most fictional characters. For anyone interested in forests, ecology, geology, or the thrill of discovery, this is a great read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book on the “In Defense of Plants” podcast. The way Wagner turns the ecology of Mount St. Helens into characters, and weaves the scientific discoveries into a narrative wrought with tension is captivating. His voice as a science writer is humble yet inquisitive, and there’s a poet’s eye to his observations. I look forward to reading more of his work.

[Joseph Newhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at the ecology surrounding Mount St. Helens. Eye opening and parsible for the layperson.

If you like trees, fish, mountains, and probably the planet you live on, this should be on your list.

[Kee Onn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earth can be indifferent to life, with regular seismic changes that completely remakes the land and its inhabitants. However, life too is shown to be tenacious, slowly but surely reclaiming a desolate landscape and making it their home, again. The amazing recovery of the ecosystem around Mt. St. Helens since its eruption has stunned experts, their findings leading to rewritten textbooks and new schools of thought in developing ecosystems. This book allows us to follow these people up close as they explore a newfound appreciation of the audacity of life.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book because this month marks the 40th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The book focuses on a few of the scientists who studied the mountain's recovery from an ecological perspective.

It was a quick, interesting read; however, I would have liked to have learned more about the science of why the mountain is recovering the way that it is. The author touched on this a little, but I wanted more. Perhaps the recovery takes so long that it's till too soon to draw too many conclusions. The author discusses two generations of scientists studying the mountain.

[Meepspeeps · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content made me wonder if scientists thought it was too much about the author and the people he met, and the casual reader thought there was too much scientific detail. Maybe that means it was “just right.” I found myself skimming some of the details, but I enjoyed the stories of hypotheses about what would happen after the blast to various flora and fauna, and what actually did happen over the last 40 years. It certainly piqued my interest to hike in the area again. I recommend it to people interested in volcanoes and ecology.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as bad as a two* but I can't give it a 3*. More a story of some of the people that worked on documenting the recovery of the mountain. Given the book's subtitle was 'The Ecological Recovery ...' I was expecting quite a bit more detail on the the Ecological recovery than what was provided.

[Tyler Bumstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read this year. It has unearthed a fascination I never knew was lingering. I need to learn more!

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, this is a book I've been waiting quite some time for. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State on May 18, 1980 was one of those once in a lifetime natural events that affected the lives of many people and generated a great deal of interest within the scientific community. Immediately following the eruption, researchers from all over the world were lining up to gain access to the area and to begin investigations into the environmental affects of the blast and and subsequent recovery.

In this book, the author follows the post-eruption activities of a number of research scientists, primarily those employed by the US Forest Service Research Branch. He describes the problems in simply getting into the blast area, managing and coordinating research efforts, and what has been learned over the years in terms of geologic impacts, and recovery of plant and animal species. He does this in story book fashion using language that is easily understandable. Most readers should be able to conjure up a mental image of the people, places, and things the author describes. On occasion, the science is mixed with a good dose of humor.

This book was an important read for me. At the time of the eruption, I was employed by the US Forest Service (National Forest System) in the Pacific Northwest Regional Office. I was part of a seven-person team of natural resource scientists that was charged by the Regional Forester and Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor to develop a short-term assessment of the affects of the blast on National Forest Resources and to make recommendations regarding any immediate stabilization or restoration needs. Our team was one of the first to be allowed into the area. Our initial report was due in six months and a follow-up report after a year. Over the course of the year, we made 13 trips into the blast area. Although we all noticed signs of ecological recovery during that period, we didn't have the time to make any kind of detailed scientific investigations.

The last time I set foot in the Mount St. Helens blast area was when I, along with one of the Weyerhaeuser Research Scientists, led a field tour in the summer of 1983. This book has gone a long way in helping me understand "the rest of the story" of Mount St. Helens - at least from the time of the eruption until present. The story continues still.

[Justin Hauter]

Mt. St Helen’s - further topics

Andrew’s Experimental Forest
P. 32 / Swanson recites…
IBP - International Biological Programme
Long-Term Ecological Research Program
Science as a social enterprise (33)
Science on expedited timeline (40)
Patchwork of federal and private lands; competing interests (44)
Preservationism vs multiple use land argument (54)
Succession (47)… Individualistic (Gleason) vs. holism (Clements)
Disturbance (48)
Organismal metaphor - aging of natural phenomena just like organisms (84). Climate and habitat > interactions between species (CLEMENTS)
In 1917, Gleason published "The Structure an Plant Association." He followed this in 1926 wi Individualistic Concept of the Plant Association," and republished in 1939. In these papers and else communities were hardly organisms, let alone s were just many plants occupying the same areas, own needs. "Every species of plant is a law unto distribution of which in space depends upon its ir of migration and environmental requirements." (86)


Considerations around when the blast occurred (51)
Pocket gophers (60)
Pumice Plain - carabid beetle, (scavenger, first insect to reproduce) (72)
Plants (73)
“Adventure science” (137)
Public interests vs fertile scientific conditions (156)
1500 elk died on day MtStHe erupted (194)

[James Easterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Mt St Helens intimately. I climbed her once before she blew in about 1968, and 15 to 20 times after her eruption. I’ve seen the “Fin” in her dome from the crater rim, I’ve crossed her pumice plain over the Sasquatch steps and beyond, I’ve been to Loowit falls coming out of her crater, I’ve seen Spirit Lake up close, I’ve slept on the Plains of Abraham, and been all across Johnston ridge, and canoed Coldwater lake when it was still dust and devastation and treeless. I’ve seen elk, and a flower growing where nothing else was. That’s not even all of it, but needless to say it is a place of stark beauty and wonder. “After the Blast” is an excellent book about what the science and scientists revealed and the passion and wonder they felt for this marvelous landscape. I enjoyed the read and learned a bit along the way.

[carson bergstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible account of the resiliency of an ecosystem following what was believed to be a biological catastrophe from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Wagner seamlessly combines accounts of Mt. St. Helens destructive past, its current recovery, and the impacts humans have had on the recovery. This book is able to deliver scientific depth and give enough "fast facts" to make the reading accessible and enjoyable to readers with scientific and without a scientific background.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read for those interested in outdoors, hiking, and forests. Overall it's an interesting read on Mount St Helens and how a nature doesn't really need us to interfere. "These remind us that instead of ruling the land, we are temporary, and often powerless, tenants. Perhaps even more dramatic, however, is the chance to watch nature heal herself."

[Pamela Okano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the ecological recovery after the Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption. All mammals above ground were killed. The mammals below ground that was covered with snow largely stayed alive so long as not too much debris landed above them. Plants also recovered quickly, beginning to grow almost immediately after the eruption.

[Will Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun. A mind blowing discovery or two in every chapter.
This book made me think a lot about balance and the cycles of life. It also made me think about how we as humans perceive nature as something separate from ourselves. This book, for me, blurred the lines between human disruption, observation, preservation, and restoration of natural processes.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, I loved this. As a geologist, I like the rock side of things more. But Mt. St. Helens has fascinated me since I was a child, and this really fell into all the same emotions I grew up with, learning about this event!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique look at the impacts of the fateful 1980 eruption of Mt. St Helen’s and overall an interesting read. While some chapters were incredibly fascinating, I found others to be too “in the weeds” and dense hence the 3 star review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great science writing! This depended my love for ecology and conservation but also highlighted the challenges faced by the latter

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good nature writing and interesting tidbits about the ecological recovery of different areas affected by the 1980 eruption.

[Heather Gahres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written. Delved into the science and the every changing theories without making you feel like you were reading a research paper. Loved it!

[Doug Garnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book which explores the ecological results of Mt. St. Helens without attempting to make the conclusions neat and clean. I enjoyed it greatly.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter is its own gem. Tremendous way to learn about Mt St Helens ecology, as well as the people who have worked to learn its processes and lessons.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book on Mt St Helens

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great read. Enjoyed delving into the ash, muck and water.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written and interesting book about the science of the recovery of land affected by the eruption of Mount St. Helens and the scientists who undertook the work.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so excited while reading this book sometimes I had to put it down for a break. The science, the hope, the beautiful imagery--it's a total winner!

[Marti Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember when the mountain blew—could see the plumes from where I lived—but had not visited until last summer and was a bit shocked how much the place still looked like a wasteland. Was that on purpose? Who decided how to manage the land? I wanted to know more about what happened after the blast and why. The story, like the recovery, is less exciting than the story of the eruption, but it answered more of my questions.