Mt St Helens USA eruption 1981 Flashcards
1
Q
cause of eruption
A
may 18th 1990 5.1 magnitude earthquake caused lateral eruption. subduction of juan de facu under north american plate
2
Q
human factors increasing risk
A
remote area with a small population=little access
3
Q
social impacts
A
- 57 deaths
- disrupts air traffic
- loss of homes
4
Q
economic impacts
A
- $3 billion damage
- ash destroyed crops
5
Q
environmental impacts
A
- forests flattened/destroyed
- 4 miles-spirit lake filled with debris
- poisonous steam/ash in air
- 540 million tonnes of ash
- thousands of birds lost (>100 species)
6
Q
short term responses
A
-evacuations
7
Q
long term responses
A
- increased monitoring
- successful evacuation plan
- brings in tourism
