250 to 250:143. Mount St. Helens Eruption, Narrated by John Ebel

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Mount St. Helens Eruption, Narrated by John Ebel

Professor John Ebel is a highly regarded senior scientist at the Weston Observatory at Boston College whose expertise has made him the go-to source for media reporting on earthquakes in New England and around the world. He explains what happened in 1980, when Mount St. Helens erupted in the most destructive volcanic event in American history.

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington State.

• It was the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history.
• Part of the mountain fell, causing a huge explosion.
• Hot ash and rocks covered forests and nearby land.
• Volcanic ash rose more than 11 miles into the sky.

57 people died, including scientist David Johnston.

• Scientists learned more about volcanoes and how forests grow again after eruptions.
• Harry Truman, a man who lived near the mountain, refused to leave.
• He said, “If the mountain goes, I'm going with it.”
• Truman died in the eruption and became a local legend.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 09:37. If the law requires it, are you willing to do work of national importance under civilian direction?
• USCIS 100:53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
• USCIS 128:70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
• Read: When is Memorial Day? 
• Write: Memorial Day is in May. 

Family Fun:

• High Country News: Life After Lava
• History: The Largest Eruption in American History | How the Earth Was Made (S2, E10)
• King 5 Seattle: Scientist killed in Mount St. Helens eruption remembered 40 years after deadly blast | Mount St. Helens environment recovering 45 years after eruption
• Mount St Helens Institute: LIVE Volcano Cam
• National Postal Museum: Mount St. Helens Postage Stamp
• Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture: Behind the scenes: Mt St Helens and the story of David A. Johnston
• PBS News Hour: What scientists have learned from Mount St. Helens’ devastating eruption, 45 years later
• Smithsonian: Footage of the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption
• USDA Forest Service: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
• USGS: Mount St Helens | Science Career Activity Books 1, 2 | I Am A...Volcanologist | Volcanologist coloring page
• Video from Space: Mt. Saint Helens from space! Before and after eruption - 1973 to 2019