Image: Tree snags at Mount St. Helens

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Description: Mount St. Helens, located in Washington State, erupted catastrophically on May 18, 1980. When the north side of the volcano collapsed, pressure was released on hot water within the volcano. The hot water burst into steam and blasted out the new opening in a powerful lateral blast. A hot stone-filled wind surged north at speeds over 300 miles per hour and temperatures of 660 °F. This lateral blast toppled or snapped off trees over a 230-square-mile area north of the volcano, which later became known as the "blowdown zone." On the outer fringes of the blowdown zone, the force of the lateral blast had diminished and trees remained standing but were seared by the hot air, leaving a band of standing dead trees referred to as the "scorch zone."
Title: Tree snags at Mount St. Helens
Credit: Mount St. Helens
Author: Pacific Northwest Research Station, Forest Service, USDA
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No

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Mount St. Helens

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