Mt St Helens Research Paper

On our exceedingly vast and geologically diverse planet, there are approximately two thousand active volcanoes, which are openings on the surface of a mountain that allows material warmer than the surrounding area to escape interiorly. Roughly fifty to seventy eruptions take place every year which detrimentally and significantly affect local inhabitants, such as plant, animal, and human populations. However, while volcanic activity affects the environment, it has a devastating toll on the economy. In 1985, the most catastrophic economic eruption in the world occurred in the area of Nevado del Ruiz, Columbia, estimating in one billion dollars of damage, only with Mount Saint Helens coming in second at 860 million dollars. The Mount Saint Helens …show more content…
The 1980 Mount Saint Helens volcanic eruption had profound and detrimental effects not only on the economy, but also on the environment by harming the soil and vegetation, the atmosphere, river systems, and animal populations. Although Mount Saint Helens wasn’t the deadliest volcanic eruption in history, it was the most fatal and destructive in the United States (Peers). It not only affected hundreds of lives, but it also impacted the effectiveness of exportation and importation, agricultural production and manufacturing and investment. Unfortunately, the leading industrial revenue of the region surrounding Mount Saint Helens primarily and largely consisted of forestry and products closely related to forestry (Burket, Furlow; et al.). This not only delayed the transportation of lumber, but also shut down many manufacturing plants, which slowed the economy. However, while this is so, it also allowed salvage operations to heavily work on the fallen timber ceaselessly and increase profits for the area (Burket, Furlow, et al.). Agricultural manufacturing lost many animal products, tree fruits, hay, bumper crops, and fish …show more content…
Specific crickets, called lava crickets, were some of those who are adapted to live in harsh volcanic environments, so they thrived even during the eruption. Exoskeleton protections were able to help many species of insects, such as beetles and ants, which led to rapid reproduction and an abundance of these species. Many types of animals have been severely affected and impacted by the forces of nature, but many animals have been known to be harshly affected by diseases, which often lead to death or physiological problems. Deer mice have been known to have eye swelling caused by ash, as well as blindness in rabbits and illness in reindeer (MacMahon). Even livestock were impacted by ash, starving, dehydrated and burned. Rare side effects include respiratory infection, eye and skin irritations, teeth and hoof abrasions and gastrointestinal blockage due to ash ingestion (Effects of Volcanic Eruptions on Livestock and Animals). While a volcanic eruption is unpredictable because it is part of nature, many claim that government officials and those monitoring the volcano and its region were unprepared and taken aback when the eruption

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