On this day May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in the state of Washington in one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in United States history. The eruption occurred at 8:32 a.m. local time and resulted in the deaths of 53 people, with hundreds more injured and billions of dollars in damage to property, wildlife and infrastructure.
The eruption followed a two month series of earthquakes and steam venting activity, but the magnitude of the blast stunned geologists. A massive landslide triggered by the explosion caused the north face of the mountain to collapse, releasing a powerful lateral blast of ash, rock and gas that leveled everything in its path for miles.
Ash from the eruption darkened skies across multiple states and disrupted air travel and daily life as far away as the Midwest. Entire forests were flattened, and the surrounding area was forever changed by the destruction.
Fun fact: The Mount St. Helens eruption reduced the mountain’s elevation by over 1,300 feet and created a one mile wide horseshoe shaped crater that remains today as a reminder of nature’s power.
The eruption followed a two month series of earthquakes and steam venting activity, but the magnitude of the blast stunned geologists. A massive landslide triggered by the explosion caused the north face of the mountain to collapse, releasing a powerful lateral blast of ash, rock and gas that leveled everything in its path for miles.
Ash from the eruption darkened skies across multiple states and disrupted air travel and daily life as far away as the Midwest. Entire forests were flattened, and the surrounding area was forever changed by the destruction.
Fun fact: The Mount St. Helens eruption reduced the mountain’s elevation by over 1,300 feet and created a one mile wide horseshoe shaped crater that remains today as a reminder of nature’s power.
