Deemed one of the most deadly volcanic eruptions in history, Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The eruption destroyed miles of land and infrastructure, killing fifty-seven people. Since the eruption, there had been many developments in volcano forecasting technology, as well as structural and non-structural mitigation strategies.
In a brief, Nelia Ekeji points out that through coordinated efforts of volcano scientists, geologists, and seismologists, Washington State is now better equipped to handle effective evacuations in the face of a catastrophe. Dams, levees, and dredges for waterways were constructed; experts were put in place to monitor the volcano’s status; and coordinated regional plans for Mount St. Helens were created.