The forest animals are surprised when a volcano
suddenly explodes, covering the land in gritty, warm
ash and rocks that make it unlivable for many plants
and animals. Gopher survives in his underground
burrow with food to eat. How does Gopher help bring
life back to the mountain? Scientists spent years
observing life returning to the mountain following
the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.
This fictionalized story is based on their surprising
observations of how life returns to an area that has
been totally changed or destroyed.