Southwest news daily
By: Zia Diaz
Hottest, Driest, Lowest
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley.
earthquakes
A 5.1 earthquake on May 18 rattled the mountain, causing the bulge to burst and landslide down the mountain. Once the bulge was gone, the volcano's magma system was depressurized and blew off the top of the mountain, according to the USGS. The blast reduced the mountain's height by 1,314 feet.
Mount st. helens
Thirty five years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, spewing ash, rock and hot gases into the air and causing mud to flow down the mountain sides.The eruption took place on May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m. PDT and was "the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States,"
animals
In addition to human lives lost, an estimated 7,000 big game animals – such as deer, elk and bears – were also killed. Birds and small mammals also died.
The first animals to return to the eruption area were spiders and beetles. They were found at the site in late May of 1980, according to the USGS.