Answer: Many of the initial pioneering species actually survived the eruptions.
1980 Mount Saint Helens volcanic eruptions were efficient to teach scientists about the ecological relationships and succession after volcanic activity. Charlie Crisafulli was a ecologists who arrived at the volcanic site along with his colleagues to collect ecological data. He noted the development of ecological relationships across the volcanic landmass. He documented the types, amounts and distribution of surviving organisms, which further took forward the responsibility of colonization and succession.