Forces of nature fascinate me. Volcanoes are particularly incredible, I think, because the shaping of a landscape can occur in such a short period of time. Most of geology is not that way. Mountains are built on time scales in the millions, if not hundreds of millions of years. Mt. St. Helens, a once typical peak in the Cascade Range, radically changed in 1980 with an enormous landslide and eruption. Approaching 40 years since the event, the landscape is still scarred and recovering - downed trees lie on hillsides, ash blows from the mountain. But the resiliency of nature is incredible to witness. Today, though still an other-worldly landscape, trees, shrubs, and grasses have grown back, and in the summertime, the wildflowers display their vibrancy. Mt. St. Helens is still an active volcano. It steams sometimes, and its lava dome is growing ever so slowly, recreating the shape of this mountain. Someday, the pressure will be too much for the rock, and once again, the landscape will be changed in an instant. For now, go there, admire the beauty and power of our world, and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.
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