LCC announces a celebration of Lawetlat'la volcano

Community members are invited to Lower Columbia College (LCC) on May 18 for an interactive celebration of our local volcano. The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of LCC’s annual Earth Science’s annual celebration of the May 18, 1980 eruption of the Mt. St. Helens volcano, known as Lawetlat’la to the local Cowlitz tribe.

This year’s event will be an in-person, interactive presentation where participants can color the geology of Lawetlat’la volcano on their own personal geologic map while listening to a live discussion of the volcano’s history. The presentation will take place in two parts, each looking at a different aspect of the volcano’s history. Participants can come to one or both parts. Coloring pencils, geologic maps, and door prizes will be provided.

Part 1. 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Native American myths and scientific facts at Lawetlat’la volcano (Mt. St. Helens): Is there a connection?

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Musical interlude and open conversation.

Part 2. 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Lawetlat’la volcano (Mt. St. Helens) isn't where it should be. A search for clues in the latest scientific research and Native American oral history to explain its strange location.

Location of the event is room 101 of LCC’s Health and Science Building (Laufman Lecture Hall).

The event will be led by Dr. Morgan Salisbury. Dr. Salisbury is a volcano scientist who specializes in the volcanoes of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest and the central Andes of Bolivia. He received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University and a Master’s degree from Central Washington University. He has been an Instructor of Earth Sciences at Lower Columbia College since 2016.