Online Library

The following information and photo captions are available for use as direct quotes for media stories, guidebooks, textbooks, etc. Please use this material in the educational context for which it is intended. Quotes may be attributed to Peter Frenzen, Monument Scientist. (Webmaster's Note: The original document has been modified here to provide a faster and easier download.)

Conditions For Use Of Photographic Images

Most of the photographs contained in this collection are publicly owned and are available for unrestricted use. We ask you respect the efforts of the individual photographers and clearly label any published photos with the photographer name and agency or institutional byline.

Individual photographers have also donated photographs for use in this collection. These photos are labeled with an individual person's name and date only (there is no institutional affiliation). Use of these images is allowed for illustration of articles, media stories, picture books, guidebooks, etc. that provide information about the volcano and its surroundings. Reproduction of images from these private individuals for commercial sales items (post cards, calendars, etc.) is not permitted without the express permission of the individual photographer.

I. Life Returns - Vegetation

1. How were the forests at Mount St. Helens influenced by the eruption?
2. What is status of plant recovery at the volcano 20 years later?
3. How is plant recovery likely to proceed in the future?
4. What was the most surprising discovery immediately following the eruption?
5. Were there any plants that survived the eruption?
6. What is the long-term outlook for vegetation recovery in the Monument?

II. Life Returns - Wildlife

1. What major wildlife species have returned?
2. What is the long-term outlook for wildlife?
3. How were birds affected by the eruption?
4. How were small mammals affected by the eruption?
5. How were insects affected by the eruption?
6. Who were the first colonists in the blast zone and what is their significance?

III. Life Returns - Streams, Lakes, Amphibians, Fish

1. How were streams affected by the eruption?
2. How were amphibians (frogs, toads, etc.) and reptiles (snakes and lizards) affected?
3. How were lakes affected by the eruption?
4. Are there fish in Spirit Lake?
5. How did the fish get to Spirit Lake?
6. What is the future of fishing and other recreation at Spirit Lake?

IV. Life Returns - Microbial Activity

1. What have scientists learned from their studies of microbial activity in steam fumaroles and thermal springs around the volcano?

V. Life Returns - Recovery

1. What efforts were successful in aiding the recovery process?
2. Were any trees replanted after the eruption?
3. Were there any recovery efforts that were not a complete success?

VI. Life Returns - Erosion

1. Why was erosion important to the recovery of vegetation on the Monument?

VII. Life Returns - Science

1. What is the role of science in the National Volcanic Monument?
2. What is the position of Monument Scientist?
3. What is the status of research in Mount St. Helens?
4. Why has the total level of research activity declined over time?
5. What are scientists doing to try to reverse the situation with respect to the decline in long-term research at Mount St. Helens?