Northwest Reports: Mount St. Helens - KPTV (1990)
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- An award-winning edition of KPTV's Northwest Reports with Lars Larson that originally aired on May 13, 1990 profiling the 10th anniversary of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. One of the most thorough and complete programs ever produced about the eruption, in my opinion.
Included are interviews with eruption survivors, scientists, journalists, and local business owners.
#MountStHelens #MtStHelens #Volcano #Eruption #1980 #WashingtonState #VHS #Geology #Oregon #Portland #PortlandHistory #OregonHistory #WashingtonHistory
I lived in Kelso, Washington when it erupted wand played on that pristine mountain before she blew her top. I swam in the crystal clean waters of Spirit Lake and fed the chipmunks by hand while I picnicked on the banks of the Toutle River. I only go back every 10 years because it's painful to see that gaping scar. When I transition, I plan on having my ashes spread at the lake because I feel I died the moment that mountain erupted. It's still very painful for me. There were even friends of the family, Karen Varner and Terry Crawl that died during the eruption so my mind goes to a dark place when i go up there. The fact they died in each other's arms is what really bothers me. They knew it happened and it was coming right for them. May 18th 1980 changed my life forever. I remember seeing a lot of this old footage as it aired live. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Bax thats crazy ive always told my family that i want my ashes dumped on top of mt st helens, that way the next time it blows my ashes will travel around the whole world! always thought that was cool
Hasn’t that area had enough Ash? 😂
@@marked4death076. You have atoms in your body now (as one example, the iron in your bloodstream) that were once part of a long dead star, which probably went supernova. We are literally made of stardust.
Normally, I watch tornado videos mostly, but I've recently discovered many videos on the Mt. Saint Helen's eruption, and find this historic event interesting.
Pp of
Best Mt. St. Helens video of all time.
While Truman was often seen saying that he thought predictions of an eruption were exaggerated, occasionally he'd remark that he couldn't live anywhere else but at Spirit Lake - that he'd die if it were destroyed ("I'm going down with the ship," he said shortly before the eruption).
I'd say he knew what was going to happen, and that he would be killed; all his bluster about the media exaggerating the dangers was probably to make himself feel better in the meantime.
It's because, he changed his mind according to the changes in the experts and their announcements. He knew how dire it was near the end and just didn't care. The media needed a villain in the face of an unfathomable catastrophe and he fit the bill... I know better now. I'd say the governor was more of a villain oh, but, we can't disrupt "the message".
@@coreym162. I wouldn’t be too hard on the governor. EVERYONE, including the geologists greatly underestimated the force of that eruption. And property owners were outraged (there is video evidence of this) that they were being kept from their homes and property. They were extremely vocal in complaining to the media, to local and state officials (including the governor), and to the overwhelmed sheriff deputies who were too few in number to block all access to the mountain. This was impossible because there were many logging roads into the area.
And as one geologist stated, the volcanic activity slowed in the weeks just before the main eruption, and I think many of the residents and property owners (including Harry Truman) thought the worst was over. They, along with flocks of people who were visiting a sparsely populated area, were putting enormous pressure on the governor to open those main roads. That’s why she agreed to the convoy.
Fortunately, the eruption happened early on a Sunday morning, before a convey could proceed, and any other day of the week, and those woods would have been filled with loggers, and the number of dead would have been much higher, in the order of hundreds of fatalities, instead of 57, most of whom, with maybe three or four exceptions, weren’t in the red zone, and thus thought they were safe.
So everyone, including the experts, were unaware of how devastating the eruption would be. While geologists thought there might be a lateral blast, it seems most thought the chances of that would be remote. We have the advantage of hindsight.
But a lot of lessons were learned from this eruption, and it’s probably the most studied volcano in the world, given that it’s in the lower 48 states. So we’ve learned a lot, and the lessons learned have saved thousands of lives in subsequent volcanic eruptions around the world. And government officials have learned to listen to the warnings of geologists.
From what I have seen and read, Harry Truman had suffered a decline in his health after his wife died. He was doing less and less to maintain that lodge, a difficult job even for young people, and likely would not have lived much longer (maybe a few years). He, like everyone else, underestimated the power of the volcano, in large part because few residents of the continental U.S. had ever seen an eruption, and as we see now, life recovers so rapidly that in another generation from now (2024), the region might look as if an eruption never happened. (Part of the reason for that recovery is that volcanic ash can help keep the soil fertile. It’s one reason why so many humans live near a volcano.
But I agree, Harry would have been devastated to see what had become of his mountain and lake. It likely would have overwhelmed him with grief. At least he got to die where he felt most at peace.
I moved to OR 1/21. I was only 2 when the volcano blew. I'm so fascinated by the st Helens eruption and intrigued about the volcanic activity in this region. As devestating and powerful St. Helen's was, Adams, Hood or Ranier would be epic.
Rainier would truly be devastating, as the entire Seattle area would be affected, especially from lahars, which are mudslides and debris created by an eruption that would instantly melt all the snow and ice. That would all come sweeping down the mountain and into a densely populated flood plain.
I was 11 when Helens blew up. Wish I was there to see the river of lahars flow down & take out the bridges & trees! What awesome power volcanoes have!💯
2:29
The Video Of The Eruption Of
Mount St Helens
Sometimes the calmness of people in mortal danger is astonishing. 'It's gonna get me too. We can't get out of here.' And he died moments later. I guess when you know your time is up, you don't feel the need to shout or panic
Plusplusplus haha yeah that trips me out too, all of them were so calm its like when they seen the power of the eruption they just accepted their fate and enjoyed the show
A real man dont get his panties wet no use you goina die then your goina die
Well, when you got an ash cloud and a sonic blast coming at you, you don't have time to react. You just hope you've made your peace with God before you go.
For what it’s worth, I’m sure Gerry knew it would be quick, and it wouldn’t be his problem anymore.
@@marked4death076 Yeah, I saw the original video and instantly was not surprised that even sasquatch couldn't run from it. If a normal human was silly enough to stay after all the warning signs, then you would instantly know there is no escape once you see it explode. I am just confused how people wouldn't leave tbh, but that's typical of humanity.
I thought I’d seen all the videos. This is a great report.
Not even sure how I received national news but I was way down in Texas and remember people watching and waiting. It's fascinated since and now I've been there. One of my kids moved there and I can see her from their house. Weird where life takes you.
I have visited over 25 volcanoes around the world,and it still blows my mind how complacent people who live near them are.Mt. Vesuvius is part of a supervolcano and yet Naples sits literally right on top of it and people pay it no mind at all.Thousands of people live around Mt. Ranier knowing what happened to Mt.St. Helen's.Then you have Yellowstone....almost an ELE event if it goes and yet people with their morbid curiosity go there by the thousands.Of course my favorite one is Tambora ,that is one big volcano and yet over 10k live on that tiny island.When you put yourself in harm's way,you can only blame yourself.Japan is the best example i can give to what you need to do,all children are taught from first grade what to do and where to go in case of a volcanic eruption.They have a deep respect for the dangers those mountains in fact their whole island poses.
Visiting a supervolcano really isn't that insane, unless it's starting to rumble. Living on top of one is perhaps a bit more questionable. I live in the ashfall range of Yellowstone though, as does most of the United States. It'll be an interesting time if it goes.
🎉🎉🎉@@robertgaudet7407
Great reporting Lars!
David Johnston has the right to ,"say I told you so". God bless his soul
I did not know this existed. This is amazing!
+El Hombre Lobo I've had this for about 25 years because a family friend was in the area around the 10th anniversary. Probably one of my favorite documentaries to watch growing up. Happy to share it with you and everyone!
Thank you for sharing this extremely valuable piece of history. I've been fascinated with M.S.H. since I was a kid. I'm 30 now. lol
I've always seen that famous picture still of the mountain after it erupted, but never have I seen a video like the one in the beginning of the actual initial eruption. That cloud looked like a jet plane in the sky.
The interviews were astonishing and everyone gave such vivid imagery. I now have a new perspective on this cataclysmic event and questions about it, since I've had as a kid, have now been answered. This you for for the "goldmine of lost culture," sincerely.
El Hombre Lobo same here haha in my mid 30s and grew up in seattle with posters of the eruption in my room, always wanting my ashes spread on the mountain when i die so i can see the world the next time it erupts, been to the mt 4 or 5 times and id go back again to see it over going to like the grand canyon for the first time. Its just the best feeling of raw power of mother nature that i think you can feel on earth. You see damage even 30 years after on the drive up and you are miles away. Then you see it
Well i knew this happen basically i live in Portland, Oregon. A few miles south of the mountains. This day and days that fellow will always be in my mind..This t.v. station here is from Portland. Woke up to my tv talking about it blow its top. I thought whats blow it top. Portland was covered with ashes for week to come. Mask were worn to protect our lungs. Kids was kept inside during lunch time at the school i worked at. My sister manage some apartments that had a flat roof, she had to climb up and shovel it off cause when it get wet with the pacific northwest rain the ash get heavy , could make roofs cave in. My sister got ash in her eye, it cut her retina. It was truly interesting time to live in the pacific northwest.
Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to live but we got many sleeping volcanoes in our backyard that one day might do what Mt St Helen did on May 18, 1980. Portland has one in our backyard about 50 miles or so from us is Mt Hood. We even got 1 in the city of Portland that they watch to make sure no earthquake is going on. That is Mt. Tabor. Like i said interesting place live in.
YorkVid ... Thanks for sharing this, i live this south of the mountain in Portland, Oregon
Great video! Why wasn’t Mike Moore interview for this video!?
Lars Larson KXL reporting. Hang out long enough and you'll move up.
Dave Mercado
Such a painful, horrific tragedy - I'm so sorry for the people that lost their lives. Even though they were outside of the red zone, it is my opinion that they were not thinking straight to go that close to the volcano - the sad thing is no one knew that it was going to a blast laterally, so that added to the danger and the final death count, but even if it didn't blast laterally, common sense tells you to stay pretty far away, from a volcano that may erupt at any time ;)
I did research on a couple of volcanoes and wound up focusing on this one. Looking back on it so many years later, I get a really visceral sense of finality listening to the USGS workers commenting on the eruption mid-blast. Part of me wants to relate to people that lived through this, but the other part is honestly scared stiff of anything to do with this. Those individuals working on the mountain were condemned - and they knew it. You don't see that sense of devotion in many people at all, not even from folks in military infantry or similar lines of work.
Jordan Randall McKendrick totally agree, whats amazing is there really is no fear in their voice even kmowing they will die. Its still excitement which shows just how much they loved their jobs
Being a volcanologist (a branch of geology which focuses on volcanoes) is one of the most hazardous jobs there is, because studying a volcano means getting close. They know the risks, but what they also know is that their work helps save lives. We’ve gotten a lot better at evacuating people when an eruption is imminent.
Harry Truman was a legend they don’t make them like that anymore. RIP Harry ❤
Hood and Rainier are gonna be the next
I was born in 82 but heard all about this day ..i live in northwest Washington
I drove through there 10 years after and for miles and miles, an hour away from the Mountain, all the trees along the hills were laid down like match sticks, and when you hiked around there, you were forbidden to go off a small trail and not allowed to go far. I saw only a few little green shoots. The Forest Rangers watched everyone like hawks to protect the area and allow regrowth.
The scientists couldn't see the forest for the trees, but let's be clear, the bulk of the people who died were NOT in any restricted area.
Boy if harry knew how the press is these days it would give him a heart attack. The press has blown it out of proportion lol that's everything with press now.
@Tewari Crescent you sound as about dumb as they get.. harry didn't care if he died if the mountain blew you need to watch other interviews with harry. He lived there for over 50 years like he said I couldn't live if I had to leave my home I wouldn't live a week, so like that old captain I'm going down with the ship. Not cause he's ignorant that's plain stupid. Basically harry knew his days were limited the last photo of harry you could tell in his face he knew the end was near but not the point press acting like with all the media attention is why he stayed that's bull shit. Harry stood on his morals and values and didn't break in the face of danger
Yep... the press really blew the danger to Harry totally out of proportion and he was totally ok because he laughed off those idiots in the press and stayed right where he was at. The press got this one so wrong; no danger at all. Bunch of sensationalist bull crap.
I sure wish I knew the source of those mystery aerials that show up behind the closing credits.
I'm surprised it's not more widely known!
That said, there was a video I uploaded last year from a private tape that has the full sequence of photos from the plane - ua-cam.com/video/E-RbWNCwJTE/v-deo.html
Ive been watching as many videos as I can during the past couple months. I still have this question: the earthquake that preceded the eruption, was that the trigger or just part and partial of the inevitable?
It was the trigger. The 5.1 earthquake was the largest on the mountain up to that point and it was, as Don Swanson said in the program, the "straw that broke the camel's back" in many ways. The rock on the north side was was extremely weakened by the intruding magma underneath and the chemical alteration caused by water and heat. In other words, it was going to go no matter what, but that 5.1 earthquake was the catalyst.
I was only a year old not even 2 years old yet I was in South Dakota at the time Mount Saint Helens erupted.
And then decades later when they all had respiratory problems, they wondered if walking in volcano dust was a smart idea.
According to some folks they found a few bigfoots as well
It eventually got my aunt with brain cancer. She was in traffic and had to have her vehicle blown out in order to start. They were sitting in a foot of ash on the highway.
Dixie Lee Ray was a brilliant lady. Also her name is amazing.
Her lack of action killed people during this disaster fym. She had blood on her hands.
Is mr schamanscy still with us..? Sorry about the spelling
I believe Jim Scymanky is still alive and likely pushing 80. He was interviewed for a National Geographic program on the eruption in 2020.
I remember when I was an Army Ranger and we found several dead bigfoot. Spirit Lake boiling still haunts me.
Can't stand how they talk like Harry Truman stayed because of the media attention lol.. And the governor lol they trying to discredit Harry Truman for being a true American badass
I’ve been a worker at a nursing home, and I see in Harry Truman a man who made a deliberate choice about the end of his life. He didn’t want to live anywhere else and made his choice as a result. It was frustrating for the officials as they didn’t want any kind of death toll, but at the same time, I have to respect the choice he made at that stage of his life.
That's it. Harry had been a widow for almost three years by March 1980 when the mountain woke up. He was at the end of his life - a very eventful, fulfilling life where he served in WWI, ran bootleg moonshine up and down the west coast, and built the Mt. St. Helens Lodge by himself. He wanted to end it on his own terms, not lose yet another thing in his life - something that was a part of him for half a century.
@@YorkVid been many years since i have seen this, and i'm amazed no one talks about how the President blamed the dead people even when the truth showed all of them were not in the red zone...and the 3 that were had permission to be there.
4:50 Same Video
As I watch this again, in all fairness to the then-governor of the state of Washington, any decision she could have made would have been the wrong decision; she really couldn't win. How could anybody have predicted how far the damage would have reached? However, when she blamed all the victims that their deaths were their own faults, even those who had been killed well outside the restricted zone, she was personally very wrong.
Old growth timber 100-200 years old, I t hi ink you’re a little off there, there were 1000 year old trees there.
20:28 Second Same Video
MT ST HELENS IS MY VOLCANO MOM BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A WEE BIT BABY VOLCANO MY SHE NAMED ME MT ST JEFFREY HELNES
The governor was soooooooooooooooooooo dumb. It's frustrating how much she let happen.
Was there lava ?
No lava
39:04 "We took our sweatshirts off, and started beatin that ash" 😂😂😂😂
MY DAD MT HOOD
"all virgin timber" - good one :)
No lava
佛很好
MY DAD IS MT HOOD
imagine the fear of those trapped . wow im happy to live in Washington state so pretty but can be a bitch at times lol
CFH cowboy ... I am in Portland, yes the pacific northwest is lovely but it can make life interesting
Got to log there after the blast let me tell you wasn't to much of a blast
17:05, this perfectly sums up the great deception coming as well, but replace steepening of the mountain, with steepening of the beast system choke hold.
Fema at it so long ago! 😂
Dixie Lee Ray sure loved ol Harry Truman, didn't she!?! 😂😂😂😂❄❄❄❄
You mean the 10 year commemoration of Mt.saint Helen s on May 18th 1990
22:56 Third Same Video
Even the President was MISINFORMED ! A SAD COMMENTARY which down the line cost MANY needless lives !
We must remember geology as a scientific field is maybe 200 years old and no white man had witnessed this volcano erupting... We simply don't know what we dont know...
It's not Gods Country... It's an American Forest.
Harry Truman was wrong 😑 because my father saw it blow up and flew over it
Harry lived full rich interesting life what you never will.
Would love to see the look on Harry Truman's face right before...
Bye bye, Harry...
I remember the 'scientists" eagerly awaiting the opportunity to observe evolution, with the most primitive organisms appearing first. The most complex organisms, trees, came back first. The "scientists" didn't talk about it anymore.
BOTH MY MOMMA VOLCANO MT ST HELENS AND DAD MT HOOD BOTH TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME MT ST JEFFREY HELENS ARE GOOD VOLCANO FAMILY MUMBERS
Do you know Mt Silverhrone? Are you related to Mt Meager? What are your thoughts on Mt Baker?
Darwin would call people who choose to live near volcanos stupid and their deaths crucial to improving the Gene pool.
So he would call you also.
31:04 Richard Harder! 😂😂😂😂 That's what she said!
Dixie Lee Ray sure loved ol Harry Truman, didn't she!?! 😂😂😂😂❄❄❄❄