Mt. St. Helens in the State of Washington finally happened. The shockwaves were felt all over the West Coast and when it was finally over the mountain was a good deal shorter than it was only a few days earlier. Despite the fears of greater loss of human life, there was enough time to prepare evacuations so only the most stalwart (and somewhat suicidal) of the people living directly around the volcano were affected. There were however, thousands of dead wildlife and the entire forest surrounding the area was reduced to powder within minutes.

And 30 years ago today the news sounded cautious.