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Crisis Response

Mount St. Helens erupts catastrophically in Washington state

On May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted in a massive explosive eruption that killed 57 people, leveled forests, and caused widespread ashfall and infrastructure damage across the Pacific Northwest.

The eruption became one of the most significant natural disasters during Carter’s presidency, prompting extensive federal and state emergency and recovery efforts and shaping future policy on volcanic hazards, land management, and disaster response.

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