What were the causes, impacts and responses to the eruption of Mt St Helens (1980)?

Question 1

What is Mount St Helen

Answer 1

Mount St Helens is a composite volcano located in south-western Washington about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, and is one of several volcanoes that dominate the Cascade mountain range.

Question 2

When was the eruption?

Answer 2

On May 18, 1980 the volcano erupted at 8:32am because of a earthquake struck beneath the volcano with a magnitude of 5.1

Question 3

What happened within seconds of the earthquake?

Answer 3

The volcanoes bulging north flank slid resulting in a massive landslide, triggering a destructive, lethal lateral blast of hot gas, steam, and rock debris (Pyroclastic flow) that swept across the landscape as fast as 680mph.

Question 4

What was the damage done?

Answer 4

In total, 27 bridges and over 200 homes were destroyed. More than 185 miles of highways and roads, and 15 miles of railway had to be completely rebuilt. 57 people were killed