Mount St. Helens: A Geological and Theological Perspective

Mount St. Helens, located in Washington state, is an active stratovolcano renowned for its cataclysmic eruption on May 18, 1980. Prior to this event, it was known for its conical, snow-capped peak. The 1980 eruption was preceded by a period of intense seismic activity and steam venting, culminating in a massive debris avalanche and a lateral blast that devastated over 230 square miles. This eruption removed the upper 1,300 feet of the summit, leaving a horseshoe-shaped crater. The landscape was dramatically altered, with pyroclastic flows, mudflows (lahars), and ashfall impacting areas hundreds of miles away.

Despite the initial devastation, the ecosystem around Mount St. Helens has demonstrated remarkable resilience and has become a unique natural laboratory for studying ecological succession. Scientists have observed the gradual return of plant and animal life, from pioneering species colonizing the barren pumice plains to the re-establishment of forests in less severely affected zones. New lakes and ponds were formed by the eruption, and over time, native amphibian populations have returned. The event reshaped not only the physical environment but also scientific understanding of volcanic processes and ecosystem response to large-scale disturbances. Ongoing volcanic activity, including dome-building within the crater, signifies its dynamic nature.

How a Global Flood Cannot Cause Mount St. Helens Formation 

A global flood, as a singular, short-term catastrophic event, cannot account for the complex geological history of Mount St. Helens. The volcano itself is built up by numerous layers of lava flows and volcanic ash deposits, a process that geologists understand takes tens of thousands of years, not a single year-long flood. Each distinct layer represents a separate eruptive event, with periods of dormancy and soil development often visible between them. Dating of these layers consistently indicates an age far exceeding six thousand years. Furthermore, the specific types of volcanic rock and the intricate internal structure of a stratovolcano like Mount St. Helens are indicative of slow, incremental formation through repeated eruptions over vast timescales, a scenario incompatible with deposition by a single flood event.

How Old-Earth Creationism Accommodates Mount St. Helens

Old-Earth Creationism (OEC) readily accommodates the geological evidence for the ancient age of Mount St. Helens and the processes that formed it. OEC accepts the scientific consensus on the age of the Earth, which is approximately 4.5 billion years, and acknowledges that geological features like volcanoes form over extended periods through natural processes. The multiple layers of lava and ash, the evidence of erosion and soil formation between eruptions, and the radiometric dating results are all consistent with an Earth that is billions of years old. For OECs, God's creative process is understood to have occurred over these vast eons, with natural laws He established governing the formation of such geological structures. Therefore, Mount St. Helens is viewed as a product of these long-acting, God-ordained geological processes.

How OEC Believes in Long Genesis Days Accommodating This

Old-Earth Creationists often interpret the "days" of Genesis 1 not as literal 24-hour periods but as extended epochs or ages. This "Day-Age" view allows for the immense timescales indicated by geology. Thus, the tens of thousands of years required for the formation of Mount St. Helens through repeated volcanic activity and dormancy fits within this framework, where God's creative acts unfolded over these long "days."

• Old Earth Creationism (OEC) interprets Job 9:5-6 as a description of God's immense power and sovereignty over natural forces, rather than a literal 24 hour depiction of specific, recent geological events. OEC acknowledges that mountains and geological features are formed through long, natural processes, but attributes the ultimate cause to God's design and ongoing control. "Removing mountains" and "shaking the earth" are seen as descriptions  of God's ability to orchestrate and influence the Earth's systems, including tectonic shifts and geological upheavals, over vast periods. This verse highlights God's role as the sustainer and director of the physical world, aligning with OEC's view of God working through established natural laws and deep time.

• Old Earth Creationists see Job 14:18 "But the falling mountain crumbles away, And the rock moves from its place;" The verse describes mountains crumbling and rocks moving, processes that align with OEC's acceptance of an ancient Earth where geological formations change gradually over millennia. 

How Old-Earth Creationism Relates to God's Glory

Old-Earth Creationism often views the vastness of cosmic and geological time, and the intricate, long-unfolding processes of creation like the formation of Mount St. Helens, as a profound demonstration of God's glory, power, and wisdom. The immense timescale and the complexity of the natural world are seen not as a challenge to faith, but as a testament to the grandeur of the Creator's design and ongoing involvement in His creation.