United States
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted in a major volcanic event. A massive landslide on the mountain’s north side released trapped pressure and produced a powerful lateral blast. The eruption killed dozens of people, destroyed forests, and sent ash across several states.
Rivers and lakes were choked with mud and debris, and nearby communities suffered heavy damage. Scientists closely studied the eruption, gaining valuable information about volcanic processes. The event remains one of the most significant natural disasters in modern U.S. history and reshaped the landscape around the volcano.