Mount St. Helens is most famous for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, which was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways, and 185 miles (300 km) of highway were destroyed. The eruption caused a massive debris avalanche, reducing the elevation of the mountain's summit from 9,677 feet (2,950 m) to 8,365 feet (2,550 m) and replacing it with a mile-wide (1.5 km-wide) horseshoe-shaped crater. The debris avalanche was up to 0.7 cubic miles (2.9 km³) in volume. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was created to preserve the volcano and allow for its aftermath to be scientifically studied.

Do you have a piece of memorabilia relevant to this event you would like to sell?
If you have, then advertise it now. Sign up and join in.

Do you find this article/user abusive? If you do, then please submit a report. Report abuse

Related Events

67th Academy Awards 1995
Ashes Fourth Test 2009, The
Ben & Jerry's Sundae On The Common 2007
Bog Snorkelling Championships 2008
Boscastle flood of 2004
Challenge Cup 2008
Climbing Mount Bromo in Java (Indonesia) at sunrise
Disneyland
Dolly Parton O2 Arena 2008
El Salvador Fire Throwing Event