Human consequences
57 deaths, including volcanologist David Johnston, stationed at an observation post about ten kilometres away.
Home › All disasters › Eruption of Mount St. Helens
VolcanoEruption of Mount St. Helens
57Deaths
Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless
$1.1bnEstimated cost
- USGS estimate.
An earthquake triggers the largest landslide ever observed: the volcano’s north flank collapses and unleashes a lateral blast that flattens the forest over some 600 km².
Consequences
Environmental consequences
The summit loses about 400 m. The area becomes an open-air laboratory of ecological recovery.
Economic consequences
Losses for the timber industry, agriculture and infrastructure.
Political consequences
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is created in 1982 and monitoring of US volcanoes is stepped up.
Further reading
Similar disasters
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- Eruption of Mount PeléeVolcano · France1902
- Armero tragedyVolcano · Colombia1985
In the rankings : The deadliest volcanic eruptions No. 9
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