Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, David Schoolcraft, NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. |
Snow plow removing ash from highway near Coeur d'Alene, in northwestern Idaho. More than 185 miles of highways and roads and 15 miles of railways were destroyed or extensively damaged. Many highways and roads were closed to traffic. Driving was discouraged during the ash fall because the ash was harmful to the internal combustion engines. Image Credit: David Schoolcraft. NOAA National Geophysical Data Center May 18, 1980 Mount Saint Helens USA volcano An earthquake occurred at 15 32 UT, only seconds before the explosion that began the eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano. This eruption and blast blew off the top of the volcano, reducing its elevation by 396 meters, killed 31 people and caused an estimated property damage of between $0.5 billion and $2 billion. About 53 earthquakes having magnitude larger than 4.5 were located near Mount St. Helens before the main event and eruption. No earthquakes having magnitudes higher than 4.5 were located following the eruption. |
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