The result was rich seams of coal in Kentucky and a Ph.D. for Austin. Just ten months later Mount St. Helens erupted, dumping vast amounts of vegetation into Spirit Lake including a million logs. Dr. Austin found the logs on the lake stripped of their bark. The bottom of the lake was strewn with up to three feet of bark mixed with other vegetation and sediment.
Ndiyo katika miezi kumi baadaye Mlima Mtf. Helens ulifanya bubujiko na kuwekezea kiasi kikubwa cha mimea ya majani katika Ziwa la Spirit ikiwemo milioni ya magogo. Daktari Austin aliyapata magogo yaliyochunwa maganda ziwani.Kilindini cha ziwa kiliwekeza hadi fiti tatu ya maganda yaliyochanganyika na mashapo ya mimea mingineyo.