When the earthquake occurred in March 1980, the USGS set up a system to monitor the volcano and the volcanic and seismic activity was reported daily
Using hazard maps from previous eruptions, warnings were issued to the people living in the area
In March an evacuation started involving 2,000 people
- These things all helped reduce the impacts, but there were some problems...
The scientists were unable to accuarately predict that the eruption was going to occur just before it did because there were no unusual changes or activity
Not everybody who lived in the area evacuated - for example Harry Truman refused to leave his house by Spirit Lake despite living in the danger zone
The lateral blast, due to a volcanic plug blocking the central vent, was unexpected and meant the eruption was different to the previous eruptions used to decide which areas were most in danger
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