On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted following a series of earthquakes and volcanic activity that began months earlier. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive landslide, leading to a powerful blast that killed 57 people and devastated 230 square miles of forest. The eruption removed the summit of the volcano and sent ash clouds high into the atmosphere, impacting air quality and visibility. Mount St. Helens remains a highly active stratovolcano, with the U.S. Geological Survey labeling it as having a high threat potential, alongside monitoring efforts for ongoing volcanic activity around the world.
'The 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption began with a steady series of earthquakes in March... and at 8:32 a.m. on May 18, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered one of the largest landslides on record.'
'Within the first 10 minutes, a plume of ash rose 12 miles high... and encircled Earth in 15 days, showcasing the power of this catastrophic event.'
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