Reid Blackburn

Who was Reid Blackburn?

Reid Turner Blackburn was a photographer killed in the 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens. A photojournalist covering the eruption for a local newspaper—the Vancouver, Washington Columbian—as well as National Geographic magazine and the United States Geological Survey, he was caught at Coldwater Camp in the blast.

Blackburn's car, along with his body, were found four days after the eruption. His camera, buried under the debris of the eruption, was found roughly one week later.

After his death, Reid was praised by his coworkers and friends alike. They spoke of his talent and enthusiasm, as well as his sometimes "acerbic" sense of humor. His wife, Fay, concluded that he had died doing what he loved.