MEDC- Mount St Helens Volcano Flashcards
Where is my St. Helens located
Is on the plate boundary between Juan de fuca plate and North American plate
Primary effects
$1.1 million worth of damage (economic)
Death of all fishes in local rivers due to raised temperature and loss of a fish hatchery and top class salmon river(socio-environmental)
Pyroclastic flow (hot ash and gas) destroyed forest and logging camps (environmental)
63 people were killed mainly by poisonous gases (social)
Lahars (mudflow of ash and water) covered an extensive area surrounding the volcano
Secondary effects
Resident of Yakima 120km away we’re forced to wear face mask due to ash clouds
The woods, lakes and rivers that attracted tourist were destroyed but the site of eruption is now major tourist attraction with a visitor centre
Ash blocked rivers destroyed popular fishing sites causing flooding . This in turn destroyed crops and live stocks
Commercial flights in area halted for 2 weeks (socio-economic)
Flooding destroyed communication such as roads and railway bridges
Preparing for an eruption
Set up warning system
Being ready and able to evacuate residents
Having emergency supply of basic provision, such as food
Train emergency services
Short term response and result
Communication such as road and bridges
People were rehoused
Long term response and result
Soil fertility improved due to the ash deposit
Volcano is now more carefully monitored
Tourism has increased boosting the local economy
