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Eruptions of Mount St. Helens : Past, present, and future

General Interest Publication
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/7000008

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Abstract

Mount St. Helens, located in southwestern Washington about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, is one of several lofty volcanic peaks that dominate the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest; the range extends from Mount Garibaldi in British Columbia, Canada, to Lassen Peak in northern California. Geologists call Mount St. Helens a composite volcano (or stratovolcano), a term for steepsided, often symmetrical cones constructed of alternating layers of lava flows, ash, and other volcanic debris. Composite volcanoes tend to erupt explosively and pose considerable danger to nearby life and property. In contrast, the gently sloping shield volcanoes, such as those in Hawaii, typically erupt nonexplosively, producing fluid lavas that can flow great distances from the active vents. Although Hawaiian-type eruptions may destroy property, they rarely cause death or injury. Before 1980, snow-capped, gracefully symmetrical Mount St. Helens was known as the "Fujiyama of America." Mount St. Helens, other active Cascade volcanoes, and those of Alaska form the North American segment of the circum-Pacific "Ring of Fire," a notorious zone that produces frequent, often destructive, earthquake and volcanic activity.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Unnumbered Series
Title Eruptions of Mount St. Helens : Past, present, and future
Series title General Interest Publication
DOI 10.3133/7000008
Edition Revised Edition - 1990; Version 1.01 March 19, 2002
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description HTML Document
Country United States
State Washington
County Skamania
Other Geospatial Mount St. Helens
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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