Mount St. Helens
Gabi Marie and Mia Ann
Event Description
Mt. Saint Helens is located in southwestern Washington. The eruption took place on May 18, 1980 at 8:32 AM. Magma was unleashed from the volcano. Rock, ash, and hot gasses devastated an area of about 230 square miles. Ash launched 60,000 feet in the air.
Ecological Impact
Vegetation was destroyed all over the mountain. The animals left the mountain. Timber flowed down the mountain in the lava, landing in the lake at the bottom. The timber still floats in the lake known as Spirit Lake.
Restoration Efforts
Most of the animal that left during the Mt. Saint Helens eruption have come back. The animals that live there now, are more plentiful than they were before the eruption. Restoration was heavily quickened by the coming of winter rains. As for the plants, they have slowly grown back. Not much can be done to help the plants grow back quickly.
Animal Life
Many Elk now live on Mount St. Helens.
Plant Life
Almost all plant life has recovered on Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens
Current condition of Mount St. Helens- 2015