After the volcanic eruption of 1980, scientists released the burrowing rodents for only a brief time, but their activities left a remarkably enduring impact, according to a new study

Scientists say the pocket gophers were cranky about being moved into a devastated landscape for a day in 1980. But decades later, their short visit still has visible, and vibrant, effects.

Located in southern Washington state, Mount St. Helens is notorious for its eruption on May 18, 1980. The eruption of stratovolcano led to earthquakes and a massive landslide. University researchers evaluated how forestry practices and mammals contributed to the revegetation and ecological success of the Pumice Plains around Mount St.

When Mount St Helens erupted in 1980, the resulting lava, ash, and debris turned the landscape barren for miles around. It was clear the land would take a long time to recover from the eruption. But one team of scientists had an idea about how they could help speed up the process;

Scientists released gophers onto a plot of land two years after the eruption obliterated the landscape—and the results were magical.

St. Helens’ mountain recovery shows how gophers and fungi revived barren land. They spurred long-lasting ecological regrowth

In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens devastated local ecosystems, but an experimental introduction of gophers has demonstrated a long-term positive impact on the soil and plant life. Scientists observed that gophers,

By unearthing microbes and fungi, these rodents helped save an ecosystem almost decimated by the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Six years post-experiment, there were 40,000 plants thriving on the gopher plots. The untouched land remained mostly barren.