Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Recording Apparently Mount St. Helens Eruption Heard on Oregon Coast

Published 05/18/23 at 8:22 PM
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals

(Newport, Oregon) – On May 18, 1980, a part of southern Washington exploded. At 8:32 a.m., after weeks of jittery-inducing activity that was studied by scientists and publicized like crazy by local media, Mount St. Helens erupted with a major blast. The force killed 57 people, leveled tens of miles of forest and all manner of lands around it, and it sent ash hundreds of miles away. (Photo USGS)

It was also heard hundreds of miles away, reportedly, and there are definitely some recordings of it, sometimes from actual footage of the explosion itself. From out of the immediate vicinity, the noise is often described as a series of thuds. Some of this was the result of sound bouncing off the atmosphere and some of it was sound waves bouncing and careening off mountains in the Pacific Northwest.

Closer in, it was the crunchy kind of boom you'd expect. It's even a bit chilling. Numerous recordings are found on YouTube, all displaying that “thud” noise that everyone outside the blast area had described.

But was the blast heard on the Oregon coast?

HEAR THE RECORDING PURPORTEDLY FROM THE OREGON COAST

That is entirely possible. According to numerous news and geological sources, including The Oregonian, it was heard a good 150 miles away. One blogger named DaveInCamas has posted just such a recording, apparently done in Newport on that day. There is indeed that muffled thud noise, happening several times.

SEE / HEAR ERUPTION ON YOUTUBE

Was this one from the Oregon coast ever studied or confirmed? It does not appear so. Thus, Oregon Coast Beach Connection cannot verify the recordings' authenticity. It is, however, an interesting historical tidbit to think this would've been the beach region.

Today is 43 years since the eruption.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

MORE PHOTOS BELOW






Booking.com

More of the Oregon coast below:

Courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts 





More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Ice Skating Rink at South Oregon Coast's North Bend A Big Hit and New Tradition
In downtown North Bend through January 31, 2026. Coos Bay events

Central Oregon Coast Silent Disco - and Newport Seafood Wine Fest 2026 Preview
Silent Disco at NPAC on January 10; Seafood Wine Fest runs February 19?22. Newport events

Winter Wreath-Making Event at Oregon Coast's Netarts Creates Homespun Vibe
Winter Wreath-Making Workshop on Sunday, December 7. Oceanside events

Oregon's Southern Curry Coast for the Holidays - and 2026 Preview
Holidays in Port Orford, Brookings, Gold Beach plus 2026 events. South coast events. Gold Beach Christmas, Dec.; Gold Beach Floats, Apr; Azalea Festival May; Brookings Art Walk, Brookings Art at the Port, Bootleg Festival, June; Solstice Shred, June; Bigfoot Blues, July; Pirates Fest, Aug.

Atmospheric River Across Oregon, Washington - Chances of Flooding Seattle to ...
Flood watch for much of PNW, rain through Fri. Aurora Borealis possible. Weather, astronomy

What's Up (and Not Up) for King Tides on Oregon / Washington Coast This Week
No large wave events but some flooding, caution needed still

Central Oregon Coast's Production of 'It's a Wonderful Life' Gives It a Uniqu...
December 12 at 7 pm, and Saturday, December 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm. Lincoln City events

Rockaway Beach Hotel News: New Inn Near Rockaway Beach is Really 100 Years Old
Boutique inn and BnB on north Oregon coastin a forest, marvelous details; bathroom vanities created by local craftsmen, headboards made of live edge wood. Pets. Rockaway Beach Hotel Reviews


Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted