Fifty-seven people perished when Mount St. Helens erupted, and even more feared that death was closing in.

• A geologist in an airplane that was red-lining at 220 mph screamed to the pilot: “Go faster!”

• A woman snapping photos out the back window of a Jeep that was taking corners on two wheels cried: “We’re gonna die!”

• A passenger in an Oldsmobile with a stalled engine wondered: “God … are we going to die because the car won’t start?”

• A man took cover under a log with his two boys, and one asked: “Daddy, are we going to live with Jesus?”