Scorch Zone
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- When the blast slowed to a point where it no longer knocked trees over the hot gases ramped skyward.
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- This left a narrow zone of standing dead trees many of which were salvaged due to concerns about fire and insects.
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- Young plantations were also scorched by blast gases.
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- The turbulent blast felled trees and left behind patches of standing dead trees in the shelter of steep ridges.
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- The bast moved like a roller coaster, skipping up and over steep ridges. Many trees were snapped off at ridge height.
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- On the edge of the scorch zone, broadleaf trees like this big-leaf maple were able to sprout new leaves.
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- After the eruption, there were few signs of life in the scorched forest. [2 years after eruption]
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- Fireweed and other early successional species colonized quickly. [4 years after eruption]
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- In some areas, sapling-sized trees managed to survive buried beneath deep snowbanks.
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- The combination of a snow protected understory and standing dead trees has produced highly productive habitat.
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- A new productive forest is rising from the ghost forest created by the eruption.
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- Standing dead forest with snow-protected understory trees and shrubs. [4 years after eruption]
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- Shrubs and smaller plants take old. [7 years after eruption]
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- Standing dead trees lose branches. [17 years after eruption]
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- Many dead trees have fallen, a new forest rises. [30 years after eruption]
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- Standing dead forest with no snowpack at time of eruption. [3 years after eruption]
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- A landslide on steep hillside fells standing dead trees and fireweed establishes. [9 years after eruption]
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- Grasses and other plants take hold. [15 years after eruption]
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- Many dead trees have fallen, a new forest rises. [24 years after eruption]
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- The outer edge of the blast zone is defined by standing dead trees scorched by hot gases.
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- Large areas of scorched forest were salvaged due to fears of fire and insect damage. [3 months after the eruption]
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- Standing dead trees inside the monument provide excellent habitat for a variety of animals.
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- The dead trees provide ample nesting habitat and food in the form of colonizing insects.
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- Developing understory vegetation adds to habitat suitability.
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- Small trees and shrubs that were pressed flat and buried under snow were protected from blast gases.
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- The combination of standing dead trees and a young forest have made excellent habitat for birds.
