"THE EIGHTIES"




Tuesday, June 1, 2010

HISTORICAL EVENT


EVENT: MOUNT ST. HELENS ERUPTION


PEOPLE INVOLVED: Residents of Washington
DATE: May 18,1980
WHERE: Skamania County, Washington

Mount St. Helens was formed about 40,000 years ago and is quite younger than the other cascade mountains. The elevation is 8,365 ft. with the prominence of 4,605 feet. It was also known as "Fuji-San of America" for its high peaks, symmetry and extensive snow. It has three main streams that originated on the mountain and were Toulte River, Kalama River and the Lewis River. Before the eruption happened, Mt. St. Helens is the fifth-highest peak in Washington.


On May 18 at 8:32 am started to erupt. It caused 57 people to be killed, 250 houses, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways, and 185 miles of of highway were destroyed. A avalanche also happened which reduced the elevation of it. After the eruption happened President Ronald Reagan decided to establish the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument so it could be scientifically studied. In 1987, it reopened so tourists could climb it once again.
This event was significant because it was known as the most catastrophic eruption in U.S. History. It was also the most deadliest and economically volcanic event.