What is the role of science in the National Volcanic Monument?
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, an outstanding scientific opportunity was created, as a result, scientists from across the country and throughout the world came to Mount St. Helens to observe geologic and biological processes first hand. The importance of Mount St. Helens as a national resource for scientific study and public appreciation of volcanic features and processes was recognized and, in 1982, Congress established the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (NVM) on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In the 10 years since the eruption research has been an important source of basic information for land managers and for visitors who come to learn about the geology and biology of the area. The Monument is an important laboratory for both geologic research and long-term studies of how nature responds to infrequent, large-scale disturbances. [US Geologic Survey, 1980] The Monument Science program is responsible for promoting the continuation of long-term studies at the
