Eruption of Mount St. Helens

Description

On May 18th, 1980, Mount St. Helens violently erupted, creating a landslide so large that it is said to be one of the most destructive natural disasters in modern history. All land in a 5 mile radius was scorched by ash, and broken trees and other debris were carried hundreds of miles down the Toutle River, destroying bridges and land in in its path. Economically, according to the Washington Post, the eruption caused the local and national economy $695 million in timber, $192 million in agriculture, and $95 million in fishery. In order to recover the area around the volcano, it cost $44 million to dredge the Columbia River, $112 million to repair roads and bridges, and $75 million to remove ash from roads all over the state of Washington.
Today, I, Lauren Paulsen, spoke with my aunt, Jan Paulsen, about her experience in Spokane, Washington around the time of the eruption.

Participants

• Lauren Paulsen
  
• Jan Paulsen
  

Interview By

• Lauren Paulsen