What was plant survival and re-establishment like on lahar (mudflow) deposits?
Lahars traveled well beyond the 1980 blast zone boundary. Vegetation establishment is considerably faster where the lahar deposits are bounded by and receive a lot of seed adjacent, undisturbed forest.
Muddy River lahar flows through intact forests south of Mount St. Helens.
Numerous trees have established along the lahar margin.
Muddy River lahar deposit one year after the eruption.
Twenty-nine years after the eruption numerous trees have established.