we are studying Mt St Helens eruption in depth for school. Im in australia so my knowledge of it is even less. we r doing an assignment on it would be great if u could help:)
2007-03-12 23:54:05 · 5 answers · asked by cool guy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
maverick is right, the usgs is a very good research tool for anything related to geology in the united states.
some of the effects are...
since it had spirit lake right below the eruption sight, it created lahras (a combination of water and pyroclastic flow)
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Hazards/Effects/MuddyLahar.html
Becuase the dome in the volcano was stronger than the whole side of the mountain, the volcano had a sideways eruption. Because of the sideways eruption, the pyroclastic flow was able to travel a greater distance. (think what happens when you throw a ball straight up into the air verses at an angle) The damage reached as far as 27 km. This is also why people died in this eruption, they thought the eruption was going to happen via the top so they only evacuated up to 20 km rather than 40 km.
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Hazards/Effects/MSHsurge_effects.html
I hope this helps for now.
2007-03-13 00:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by BIF 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason St Helens was such a massive explosion was that the pressure built up inside the mountain increased at a rate far larger than the mountain could release at the top. This caused Mt St Helen to explode out the side of the mountain instead of out the top. Think of inflating a balloon until it pops. This site should be some help:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/May18/MSHThisWeek/framework.html
2007-03-13 07:27:21 · answer #2 · answered by Maverick off Top Gun 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in Minnesota, in Midwest USA. We had hazy skys for days from this West Coast eruption. I like your approach to asking on here. Often times, how people experience is a nice touch to your paper. Good luck on that.
2007-03-13 06:57:37 · answer #3 · answered by ME 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you ask some people in this country, they would tell you it was because of George W. Bush.
The top blew off and some people died. I think Gore thinks it is because I drive an SUV.
2007-03-13 06:57:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
eruptovolcanisation
2007-03-13 06:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋