Helens and North Fork Toutle River Channel. Helens, scientists refined their interpretations of monitoring data in order to better forecast future eruptions. Earthquakes, ground deformation and gas measurements took on new meaning as the volcano demonstrated that patterns of change could help scientists forecast lava-dome building eruptions. Scientists now use similar patterns of change to forecast future activity at volcanoes around the world. The eruption also led to a new era of volcanic monitoring.

Now, 40 years later, it is routine for geologists, seismologists, geophysicists, hydrologists, geochemists and biologists to cooperate in studies of natural science processes resulting in well-integrated research, monitoring and communication. Helens changed the way that scientists do business by linking specialists from many disciplines. The 1980 eruption, however, required scientists to work together in a more integrated manner. We now know that type of terrain is evidence of a past flank collapse at that volcano about between 300,000 and 380,000 years ago that occurred without an eruption.īefore 1980, scientists saw sharp divisions among volcano hazard studies, volcano monitoring and basic volcanology research. Helens also informed volcano scientists on how to interpret the hummocky terrain near other Cascades volcanoes, such as California’s Mt. The north flank collapse and eruption at Mount St. The eruption underscored the importance of using as many monitoring tools as possible to track unrest and eruption activity. The debris avalanche opened the cone, and scientists were able to inspect its interior in a new and novel way. The eruption jump-started interest in the study of explosive eruptions and monitoring efforts to improve warning systems that help mitigate hazards. As a result, the eruption and its effects were heavily photographed from numerous vantage points. The volcano was also easily viewed and accessible. Helens turned out to be the ideal laboratory to study volcanic activity. The 1980 eruption was the first large explosive eruption studied by scientists and observers using modern volcanology. Helens sparked the advances in cutting-edge volcano science and monitoring that exist today.

But the truth is the eruption of Mount St. Better cooperation, monitoring and forecasting possibly could have allowed for earlier evacuations, hazard mitigation and reduced risk. Helens eruption have been prevented or mitigated?įor the answer, let’s travel forward to the present. Over the past 40 years, technology and the scientific study of volcanoes have made significant advances. Had we known then what we know today about volcanoes, could the loss of life and economic damage caused by the Mount St.

Lahars (volcanic mudflows) carried large boulders and logs, which destroyed forests, bridges, roads and buildings. These catastrophic events led to 57 deaths, including that of David Johnston, a dedicated USGS scientist, and caused the worst volcanic disaster in the recorded history of the conterminous United States. The eruption fed a towering plume of ash for more than nine hours, and winds carried the ash hundreds of miles away. A high-speed blast leveled millions of trees and ripped soil from bedrock. Mount Adams is in the background (right).įorty years ago, after two months of earthquakes and small explosions, Mount St. Plinian column from eruption of Mount St.

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