⏰ when

When did the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens begin?

VolcanoesUnited States

Quick Answer

Mount St. Helens’ catastrophic eruption began on 18 May 1980.

The Full Story

The eruption sequence at Mount St. Helens in Washington state began with a major landslide and lateral blast on 18 May 1980. It killed 57 people and dramatically reshaped the mountain, lowering its summit by hundreds of meters. The eruption was important scientifically because it was observed and studied in great detail, improving understanding of debris avalanches, lateral blasts, and volcanic hazards. It remains one of the best-known eruptions in modern U.S. history.

Key Facts

1.Date: 18 May 1980
2.Death toll: 57
3.Summit was reduced by hundreds of meters

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"The day a mountain blew its top sideways"