28 Years Ago Today: Mount St. Helens Erupted
On this date in 1980…Mount St. Helens erupted in southwest Washington State. Fifty seven people died in the catastrophic explosion and massive landslide, making it the deadliest and most destructive volcanic eruption in the history of the United States. The smoke plume from the volcano rose to an altitude of 80,000 feet. The ash from the volcano reached the East Coast in three days and circled the globe in nineteen days. A total of two thousand people had to be evacuated because of mudslides and flooding from melted snow. The top 1,300 feet of the mountain was blown away.
May 18, 1980 – The Mount St. Helens Eruption
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About the Author (Author Profile)
Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site's official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site's severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorianSubscribe
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