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Ecological revival and landscape changes

Ecological revival and landscape changes Due to the eruption of Mount Saint Helens scientists learned that ecosystems can unexpectedly recover in many ways. Scientists discovered that some affected areas experience a very slow recovery while others experienced a very speedy recovery. This new research can help with long-term data when scientists are studying ecological patterns, especially when it comes to studying other volcanic eruptions. The eruption of Mount Saint Helens allowed scientists to study how volcanic activity can reshape the environment of where the volcano erupted. This is because the Mount Saint Helens eruption drastically changed the surrounding landscape, and the landscaping became extremely altered due to the eruption. Also, because of how intense the eruption was, scientists assumed that all signs of plant and animal life would be deceased after the eruption, but scientists then learned that the ecosystems where not destroyed, and that the eruption resulted in a compound variety of habitats.

The eruption of Mount St Helens occurred on May 18th, 1980. The eruption occurred in Washington state in an area called Skamania County. Mount St Helens had a very extraordinary lead up to its eruption and it was unique to other eruptions, not only that but the Mount St Helens eruption was one of the most extreme eruptions that has happened in North America. Mount Saint Helens had been an active volcano for quite some time as it had a few minor eruptions and earthquakes in a few months. On May 18th, 1980, things took a turn for the worse. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck in the are which led to a ginormous debris avalanche. The avalanche led to a lateral blast which is a type of volcanic eruption that occurs at a sideways angle rather than a typical upwards angle, and this type of eruption comes from the summit of the volcano which is also known as the highest point of the volcano. But, due to the lateral blast, the summit of Mount Saint Helens dropped around 1,300 feet! Following the lateral blast was a nine-hour vertical eruption which is a type of volcanic eruption where volcanic materials such as gas and ash are launched out right out of the top of the volcano. This intense eruption caused a 15-mile-long ash plume which is a cloud of volcanic ash to be spread into the atmosphere and spread across various nearby states. The eruption also caused lahars which are very dangerous volcanic mudflows and the lahars demolished roads, buildings, and forests. The Mount Saint Helens eruption caused loads of damage to Skamania County and took around 57 people’s lives.

Overview of the mount saint helens eruption

Mount Saint Helens: unexpected discoveries and new insights.

After the eruption of Mount Saint Helens, scientists realized that they needed to more efficiently monitor volcanic activity. Scientists have created more complex seismic monitoring systems. Although seismicity is the frequency and distribution of earthquakes, seismicity in relation to volcanoes are the trembles that occur due to volcanic activity. Seismic monitoring systems can help detect magna movement in volcanoes. As magma begins to climb up towards the surface it causes the rocks around it to break and crack which eventually leads to an earthquake. These monitors can notify scientists when this is happening, and they can track the activity easier. Another improved monitoring technology that was an outcome of the Mount Saint Helens eruption is satellite imagery. Scientists have created a more complex way to distinguish any changes on earth’s surface and they are now able to monitor volcanic activity up from space. Now Mount Saint Helens is constantly monitored by satellites to help detect any changes in activity.

Improved monitoring technology & techniques

Because of how tragic the eruption of Mount Saint Helens was, as a result scientists learned that they need to draw more attention to the importance of volcanic related hazards. The public, especially those who live around a volcano need to educate themselves about the dangers of volcanoes. If people are better aware and educated about volcanoes and have somewhat of a sense of what they are, communities where volcanoes are located especially, can be more prepared and aware in case of another eruption. This could potentially help save lives and create less damage to the environment in the future. People who live near a volcano should educate themselves on things including the history of the volcanoes eruptions, the potential hazards related to the volcanic activity, the types of volcano it is (red meaning effusive which is another word for free-flowing or grey meaning explosive), and the areas surrounding the volcano that are unsafe during or after an eruption.

Public awareness and understanding

Lahar Detecting Systems

The eruption of Mount St Helens was like a wakeup call to scientists that they need to realize how dangerous Lahars are. A Lahar is a like a volcanic mudflow, and they can be extremely dangerous because they have the ability to quickly travel and they can reach top speeds of hundreds of miles per hour, they can destroy everything in their path, and they can cause significant damage to the environment. Because of the Mount Saint Helens eruption scientists concluded that they had to create lahar detecting and warning systems. With the establishment of these systems communities will be better protected in case of another downstream volcanic eruption. The lahar detecting systems are monitors that are buried into the ground near volcanos and whenever they sense that a lahar is passing by signals will be sent to emergency centers. Scientists will then take a quick look at the data and confirm that there is a lahar. After that emergency officials will warn people who live around the volcanoes to be precautious. These can be very beneficial because lahars are rather dangerous and being notified when one is coming can help protect people and the environment.