Responses

Rescuing survivors was a priority: helicopters were quickly sent to search for and rescue those near the volcano, however it quickly became apparent that anyone who was within the immediate blast zone would not have survived. Tourists who were within the exclusion zone were caught up in the lahars and the debris from the blast. Nearby towns provided refuge and treatment for those rescued. Ash made rescue efforts more challenging as it blocked roads, with some areas covered in ash up to 1 metre deep. Within 3 days of the eruption, ash was cleared to allow traffic to flow with greater ease. In addition, communication routes were repaired.

Despite this, the ash fall did have a positive impact in the long term as the fertility of the soil in the area increased as a direct result. The woodlands to the north of the mountain were also replanted. Today, the volcano is now more popular than ever with tourists, attracting visitors from across the globe. After being made a national monument in 1982, $1.4m was spent so that the area could cater for approximately 3 million tourists. Finally, the USGS now monitors Mt. St. Helens very closely for slight changes which could indicate a potential eruption.