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Mount St. Helens Marks 45 Years Since Catastrophic Eruption

The deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history remains a stark reminder of nature's power, with ongoing monitoring addressing persistent hazards.

A Christmas ornament made from glass that includes ash from the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Many residents in Washington and Oregon who were there when the volcano erupted have such mementos.
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The eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state shot a plume of ash and smoke more than 5,400 metres into the sky on May 18, 1980.
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Overview

  • On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake, triggering the largest recorded debris avalanche and a lateral blast.
  • The eruption killed 57 people, destroyed 230 square miles of land, and caused over $1 billion in damages, making it the deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history.
  • The eruption's ash plume reached 80,000 feet into the atmosphere, blanketing areas up to 300 miles away and disrupting daily life and air travel.
  • Scientific advancements since the eruption include the creation of five USGS volcano observatories and improved monitoring of volcanic activity.
  • Recent events, such as a May 2023 debris flow that damaged infrastructure near the volcano, highlight the need for continued surveillance of Mount St. Helens.