Deaths during the May 18, 1980, Eruption of Mount St. Helens

Abstract

UNTIL March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens, located in the southwestern part of the state of Washington, was known primarily for its esthetic features. Geologically and historically, however, the mountain was far from tranquil. It is a part of the "Ring of Fire," a chain of active, dormant, and recently extinct volcanoes that encircle the Pacific Ocean. Fourteen of these volcanoes are in the Cascade Mountain Range, and five are in the state of Washington.Most of the Cascade volcanoes are or have been the sites of active glaciers. Because Mount St. Helens is one of the younger volcanoes in . . .