Mount St Helens Institute

06/24/2026

We still can't get enough of NASA's Your Name in Landsat – especially as we got lava! Try typing in your name, or an uplifting word, and see it spelled out in Earth features: science.nasa.gov/specials/your-name-in-landsat.

Some fun facts about the NASA/USGS Landsat program:

🌎 It provides the longest continuous space-based record of Earth’s land surface in existence. Satellites have been capturing images non-stop since the launch of Landsat 1 on July 23, 1972, allowing scientists to study large-scale processes such as glacial retreat and changes to our ecosystems (including at Mount St. Helens!).

🌎 NASA and the USGS made all Landsat data free and open to the public in 2008, which has applications in everything from agriculture and water resources to disaster management and wildfire response.

🌎 Landsats 8 and 9 are fitted with a longer wavelength Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) enabling volcanologists to monitor and map active lava flows in near-real-time! The data can also be used to help identify new eruption vents and to distinguish between active, cooling lava and older rock deposits.

You can learn more about Landsat and find the USGS Eyes on the Earth podcast series here: usgs.gov/landsat-missions/science/education.

What did you get for your name? Share your screenshot in the comments 😃👇

06/23/2026

MSHI Campouts – where art and science converge!🌋🎨 Our first Artists in Residence of 2026 will soon be heading to the Science & Learning Center at Coldwater:

• Nolan Wagner, a multidisciplinary artist creating beautiful yet functional pottery, prints, and paintings inspired by the Pacific Northwest landscape.

• Tamra Sheline, whose captivating paintings on yupo and canvas aim to balance technical precision with the freedom of experimentation.

👉 Want to experience their creativity firsthand? Nolan and Tamra will be leading fun, hands-on art projects at our Family Adventure Camp on July 10-12, 2026.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today! mshinstitute.org/family-adventure-camp.

06/22/2026

Happy ! Photographer and volcano fan Keaton Terry () tracked meteorological models for a good inversion, then chartered a Cessna 172 to capture this view. Now that is dedication to the craft!

Thinking of taking your own aerial shots? Know before you fly! While drones are a popular way to capture breathtaking imagery, there are rules in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to protect wildlife and visitors.

Operators in compliance with all FAA regulations and guidance for flying drones (faa.gov/uas) may do so throughout MOST of the forest, but drones are NOT allowed within legislated Wilderness areas and are highly discouraged within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Before you launch, review the Gifford Pinchot National Forest recreation page: fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/recreation/opportunities/other.

06/21/2026

Yes, there really are bears on Mount St. Helens! 🐻 With hiking season in full swing, keeping our community safe AND wildlife protected is our goal, so we’re sharing some info from the official Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) statement on the recent black bear incident on Mount Si.

"In Washington state, the only recorded fatal black bear attack on a human was reported in 1974. Since 1970, state authorities have recorded approximately 20 human-black bear encounters that resulted in a documented injury. The most recent was in 2022.

WDFW officials offer the following advice to minimize the risk of injury if a bear is encountered in the wild:

In general bears avoid people, but they’re naturally curious animals. If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice.

Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Don’t run from a bear. WDFW recommends making noise and leashing pets while hiking. Be aware of your surroundings as to not accidentally startle a bear.

While recreating, WDFW recommends carrying bear spray that is readily accessible and knowing how to use it. More information on how to use bear spray is available on WDFW's blog: wdfw.medium.com/the-truth-about-bear-spray-its-not-just-for-bears-13191225129f

Black bears are common throughout Washington — including in suburban areas — except the interior of the arid Columbia Basin. Based on the latest data, WDFW estimates that there are approximately 22,000 black bears in Washington across all land ownerships. This estimate accounts for all ages of black bears, including cubs.

For more information on living with black bears go to: wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ursus-americanus ."

Photo courtesy of Sean Thomas.

06/20/2026

Bread or breadcrust bomb*? Shout out to the amazing Chef Celia! She's been feeding the hungry students at the Science & Learning Center some delicious meals, including baked goodies created with our friendly mountain sourdough starter, Edgar Allen Dough.

With Volcano Outdoor School winding down for the summer (before ramping up again in the fall), Chef Celia will be breaking out new recipes for our Family Adventure and Base Camps – take a peek at what's on offer: mshinstitute.org/community-campouts.

*Breadcrust bombs form when the outer surface of a partially-molten lava fragment (ejected from the volcano) cools and then cracks as the still-hot interior slowly expands due to the continued growth of gas bubbles in the lava – a bit like bread rising in the oven!

06/19/2026

USGS Volcanoes might be onto something here - who do you think's been the most explosive team in the World Cup so far? 👇

I'm 100% biased, so I'm loving this England team and hoping it might be the end of our 60-year drought. (Fun fact: There are lots of volcanoes in England, they're just all extinct!).

Cascades Volcano Observatory update for Friday, June 19, 2026: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington were at normal background levels of activity for the last week. Small earthquakes were detected at Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens.

The big soccer tournament is underway, and we couldn't help but notice a pattern: a lot of the competing countries are also home to potentially active volcanoes. About 50% of the 48 qualified teams!

Coincidence? Maybe.

But if your country has spent millions of years building pressure before making an explosive appearance on the world stage, we can call that the volcano advantage.

📷: Photo of a person holding a handful of volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens in 1980. Photo Credit: USGS

06/19/2026

Happy Father's Day weekend! Heading up to celebrate on the mountain? The forecast is looking great, but the conditions are serving up a clear reminder that summer has officially arrived.

Here's what you need to know before you lace up your boots:

☀️ Expect sunny skies with summit high temperatures around 50 F and 5-30 mph winds. The climbing route is melted out to the rim. While glissading is still possible near the top, the snow is gritty and melting fast. Watch out for rocks, bare spots, and glissade chutes trending west—away from the climbing route.

💧With higher temperatures lower down and constant sun exposure, our volunteers have already been assisting climbers suffering from heat exhaustion. To beat the heat, take extra water, pack plenty of electrolytes, and stay ahead of your hydration.

🚮 Pack it in, pack it out—fueling your climb is important, so carry more food than you think you need, but please secure those wrappers and take all your waste home. Our volunteers have picking up a LOT of trash lately, so let's all be good mountain stewards and .

Whatever your plans this weekend, have a good one!

06/18/2026

Grown-ups need outdoor school too! This week, MSHI hosted a group of legislators at the Science and Learning Center to learn more about what goes on at Volcano Outdoor School. Thanks to our local legislators and candidates who made the trip!

It was a great opportunity to share more about the impact of outdoor school funding, how it affects schools' ability to attend, and our hopes for funding to be reinstated in a future legislative session. In the meantime, we are focusing our efforts on raising private funds to help subsidize attendance fees, giving more students access to nature and hands-on outdoor learning experiences.

Teachers love to tell us about those 'aha' moments when something just clicks. Their students come out of their shells and are more engaged outside the classroom, finding new connection and understanding with both the landscape and each other. For us, this is what outdoor school is all about!

06/17/2026

We are proud to support the Team Survivor Northwest - Seattle climbing team as they prepare to summit Mount St. Helens on July 30! 🥾🏔️

This incredible group of cancer survivors has been training hard, tackling tough trails whatever the weather. On climb day, MSHI's expert mountain guides will be there to help as they navigate the boulder field and steep, ashy slopes of the volcano on the way to the summit.

For these women, Mount St. Helens is more than just a physical challenge, it’s an opportunity to find connection, reclaim confidence, and celebrate their strength. The climbing team is actively raising funds to ensure that *every* woman impacted by cancer has access to recovery and fitness programs through Team Survivor Northwest. Let’s help them reach their goal! 💪

Follow the link to learn more and support their journey: connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/teamsurvivornw1/campaign/mtnclimb26



Photo courtesy of Amanda Keasberry.

06/17/2026

Since early May, our education team has been welcoming students of all backgrounds to Mount St. Helens: 2nd graders to seniors, home educators to large public schools, and first-generation immigrants to folks rooted here for generations.

At MSHI, our goal is to help every young person experience the wonder of the volcano, find their connection with this landscape, and leave with a fresh perspective on the natural world.

But don’t just take our word for it! Here's what one of our amazing volunteers, Tim B., shared after a recent trip:

"I volunteered at the Science and Learning Center and helped with middle school students visiting from Vancouver. The MSHI staff were wonderful, and I learned a lot from them. I am thankful for their great work! The students were fun to be around. One boy told me that 'this hike is better than playing video games!"

A huge thank you to the education volunteers and all of our incredible supporters who make Volcano Outdoor School possible!