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  • Published: 15 April 2015
  • ISBN: 9781570619793
  • Imprint: Sasquatch
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 160
  • RRP: $49.99

Mount St. Helens 35th Anniversary Edition

The Eruption and Recovery of a Volcano



The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, was the most catastrophic and deadly volcanic event ever experienced in the United States. This fully-illustrated book documents the story of that momentous event--with an update on continued seismic and volcanic activities and recovery of the flora and fauna around the mountain. Over 30,000 copies sold in previous editions.

The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, was the most catastrophic and deadly volcanic event ever experienced in the United States. That event had the force of thousands of atom bombs and destroyed 234 square miles of forestland. This highly visual book tells the scientific and human story of that cataclysm and the remarkable recovery that has occurred. Some surprising facts are that the late winter of 1980 contributed to the survival of some hibernating animals; the larger mammals, including elk, brown bears, and cougars have all returned; and unaffected forests quickly spread to cover areas that were wiped out by the blast.

  • Published: 15 April 2015
  • ISBN: 9781570619793
  • Imprint: Sasquatch
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 160
  • RRP: $49.99

Praise for Mount St. Helens 35th Anniversary Edition

Photographs with text commemorate ten years since the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens. Half the book portrays events in 1980: human and animal deaths as far away as 6, 9, and 25 miles; the blast and scorch zones; the avalanche; the mud flows topping hills of 250 feet; the flooding and loss of property; and the 540 million-ton ash fall spread over 22,000 square miles. The second half of the book sketches events since 1980. Aquatic environments are now back to normal, but the first post-eruption tree harvest won't occur until 2025, and for other areas "the minimum will be a century." The book also includes discussions on the unique scientific opportunities to study species adaptation and compressed geological time, the human conflicts over science versus tourism in Mount St. Helens National Monument, and over human intervention versus natural regeneration on timberland and rivers. For larger collections.
--Library Journal (review of previous edition)