Volcano eruption in Washington State USA Mount St. Helens on May 18th 1980.
Causes
A minor oceanic plate - Juan de Fuca is moving east colliding with the North America continetal plate. The volcano erupted out of the side and top as the top was partly blocked by a plug of old solidified lava. There was pyroclastic flow because it is a destructive margin.
Effects
- Trees flattened and burnt over 360sq km
- 7000 animals died mainly game
- 12mill salmon killed
- 61 people died - mainly scientists and photographers
- Mudslides due to snow melt
- Air traffic diverted
- 200 houses/cabins destroyed
- 4 billion comercial timber board damaged/destroyed
- Agricultural crops destroyed although some survived with only a blanket of ash
- 1000+ commercial flights cancelled due to airport closure
- Total cost $1.1billion
- US government gave $951mill in aid to rebuid industry and compensate
- 185metres of roads, 15metres of railway and 27 bridges damaged/destroyed
Why live there?
Initially tourism crippled however long-term tourism has benefitted - people keen to visit the site. But there is an increased chance in flooding due to new landscape. People work there. Friends and family nearby.
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