When Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington on May 18, 1980, photographer Robert Landsburg was within a few miles of the volcano — and he knew there was no way out.
Aware that any escape attempt would be futile, he stayed in the thick of the action and took as many pictures as he could before securing his camera in his backpack. As the ash grew thicker, Landsburg covered the backpack with his body, determined to ensure that his images would survive — even though he knew he wouldn’t
