Ecological Recovery at Mount Saint Helens

The video explores the ecological recovery of Mount Saint Helens after its 1980 eruption, focusing on Spirit Lake. It highlights the rapid return of life, the unique adaptations of fish and amphibians, and the role of floating logs in creating new habitats. The video also discusses the scientific insights gained from studying this natural recovery process.

What unexpected phenomenon did scientists observe at Mount Saint Helens after the eruption?

• Complete extinction of all species

• Rapid ecological recovery

• Formation of a new mountain

• Permanent desertification

What was the immediate impact of the Mount Saint Helens eruption on Spirit Lake?

• The lake dried up completely

• The lake became a desert

• The lake's bottom rose and its area doubled

• The lake turned into a forest

How did rainbow trout come to inhabit Spirit Lake after the eruption?

• They survived the eruption in the lake

• They were introduced by an unknown source

• They naturally migrated from nearby rivers

• They were part of a government restocking program

What is one of the mysteries surrounding the rainbow trout in Spirit Lake?

• They grow rapidly but die young

• They live longer than usual

• They are much smaller than expected

• They have no natural predators

What role do the floating logs play in Spirit Lake's ecosystem?

• They block sunlight and prevent ice formation

• They are a barrier to fish migration

• They increase water temperature

• They provide no ecological benefits

What surprising development has occurred on the floating logs in Spirit Lake?

• They have turned into rock formations

• They have disappeared over time

• They have developed into a new forest

• They have become completely submerged

How did amphibians manage to return to Spirit Lake after the eruption?

• They swam across the lake

• They were unaffected by the eruption

• They were airlifted by scientists

• They walked and used gopher holes for shelter

What adaptation have some northwest salamanders made in response to the lack of a nearby forest?

• They have developed wings

• They have stopped reproducing

• They live entirely in water

• They have become nocturnal

What was the initial prediction about amphibians' survival after the eruption?

• They would migrate to other areas

• They would become the dominant species

• They would not survive long-term

• They would thrive immediately

What has the study of Mount Saint Helens taught scientists about ecological recovery?

• Recovery is impossible after such events

• Recovery can be rapid and unexpected

• Recovery always follows a predictable pattern

• Recovery is solely dependent on human intervention