Washington GSA Trip 2003 - Mount St. Helens
Earthquake activity and surface swelling of Mount St. Helens indicated that the young composite volcano was becoming active in the early months of 1980. United States Geological Survey geoscientists montiored the mountain carefully and warned of an impending eruption. Nevertheless, the massive eruption of May 18, 1980, resulted in 57 deaths and over 1 billion dollars of damage/loss. The eruption became one of the most closely studied violent volcanic eruptions in history, leading to many revelations about how composite volcanoes work. Dr. Eric Johnson led a group of 12 Hartwck students to see this still active volcano. The group seen here consisted of (from left to right): Dr. Johnson, Amanda Stone '06, Jason Stouffer '05, Josh Valder '05, Stephanie DePoala '03, Dolores Serrano, Kelly Bryant '04, Dan Zuck '05, Jake Castro '04, Jeremy Freeland '04, Lance Henry, Dave Chapman '05, and Levi Langevin '04.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - Mount St. Helens
Eric and Dave Chapman '05 walk down the trail to the summit (~ 7 miles away) along Johnston Ridge. Johnston Ridge is named in memory of USGS geologist David Johnston, who died during the 1980 eruption. A basaltic lava flow along the north flank and the dacite lava dome within the remaining crater were evidence of the post-1980 activity from Mount St. Helens. This lava dome has since been destroyed and replaced by a new one during the minor March 8, 2005 eruption.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - Mount St. Helens
Johnston Ridge (seen here) was originally the north flank of the volcano, that collapsed and moved (essentially in one mass) more than 5 miles downslope in less than one minute! The massive landslide enveloped all trees and other living things in its path. Today, the visible portions of this former forest stick out of the ridge like tousands of toothpicks.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Pacific Coast
The group also stopped to see the Pacific Ocean along the southwest Olympic Peninsula. The beach logs are a testament to logging in the nearby area.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Pacific Coast
Logging strays wash up on the beach and definitely pose a hazard to beachgoers...even if this sign is a bit overly dramatic.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Pacific Coast
Kelly Bryant '04 examines Pleistocene strata along the Olympic Peninsula. The group also viewed some Tertiary marine sediments and altered pillow basalt - former oceanic crust uplifted as part of an accretionary wedge.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Pacific Coast
The power of ocean wave erosion is evident along the sea cliffs of the Washington Coast.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - Downtown SeattleThe group returned to Seattle for the annual Geological Society of America Meeting held November 2-5, 2003.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Space Needle, Seattle
During the meeting, the group gathered with alumni present for a visit to the famous Space Needle and a dinner at the rotating restaurant at the top of the tower.

Washington GSA Trip 2003 - The Space Needle, Seattle
Melissa LaMark '03 (left), Steph De Poala '03 (center background) and Kelly Bryant '04 (right) share a humorous moment at the SkyCity restaurant. Phil Martin '03 (not pictured) also joined the Hartwick contingent for a lovely dinner with unrivaled views of the city.