Mount St. Helen Blows

There is no greater force on our planet than a volcanic eruption. On August 7, 1980, I was aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from SFO to Seattle when in mid-flight Mount St. Helen blew her stack for a third time since the May 18th. All in-air traffic was diverted across a broad expanse of miles to detour the eruption. All later departures were grounded until the situation could be further assessed. Like 9-11, it was an amazingly clear day with unlimited visibility as the late afternoon sun began its western descent. The scale of the devastation is beyond description. All comparative references are totally inadequate. Even at our 35,000 feet altitude, the column of ash was at least three to four times higher if not more. From a probable distance of 75-miles away, the ginormous column appeared within reach of my hand just through the window. It resembled a gargantuan wet cauliflower dipped in dry cement sculpture of Jack's magic beanstalk. Easily the most extraordinary sight I've ever witnessed! Respect the epic glory of nature at her most powerful!