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Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration

February 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027

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For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks is the focus of the immersive exhibition, Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration.

An original exhibition, Under Pressure takes visitors on an educational, insightful and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

The exhibition blends history and geology with interactive storytelling and hands-on exploration. Visitors to Under Pressure will encounter volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research. Additionally, the exhibition sheds light on the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region. 

From volcano biographies to present-day technologies that monitor volcanic activity, Under Pressure explores the long, complex and symbiotic relationship between the High Desert and the giants that live among us.