Former investigative journalist Frank Parchman becomes embedded in the lives of eight people whose fates are profoundly altered and ultimately become intertwined in the aftermath of the volcanic fury in southwest Washington state. The story begins on March 20, 1980. After 123 years of geologic tranquility, a swarm of earthquakes signals that America's youngest and most dangerous volcano is coming back to life. At first, no one notices. Then, two months later, after much ""what now?"" speculation by scientists and bureaucrats, the once-beautiful mountain explodes with a force 1000 times greater than Hiroshima. All hell has broken loose. This is an epic account of the volcano's awesome display of raw-throated power; the heartbreak and anger of survivors whose lost loved ones were largely unaware that they were in danger, even 30 miles away; the thrill of scientific discovery; and, ultimately, the recovery of nature and healing of the human body and spirit.