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Notable Eruptions of Volcanoes in the United States
During the 20th Century


-- From: Wright and Pierson, 1992,
Living with Volcanoes, The U.S. Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1073, 57p
Volcano Year Eruption Type Impact
Novarupta, Alaska (Katmai group) 1912 Explosive, dome Largest eruption of the 20th century; produced 21 cubic kilometers of volcanic material, which is equivalent to 230 years of eruption at Kilauea. Pyroclastic flow filled Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and as much as 0.3 meters of ash fell 161 kilometers away.
Lassen Peak, California 1914-1917 Explosive Pyroclastic flows, debris flows, and lava flows covered over 16 square kilometers
Mount St. Helens, Washington 1980-1986 Explosive, dome Initial debris avalanche and lateral blast on May 18, 1980, removed the upper 396 meters of the volcano, killed 57 people, and triggered debris flows that emporarily stopped shipping on the Columbia River and disrupted highways and rail lines. The blast devastated 596 square kilometers,a nd destroyed timber valued at several millions of dollars. Measurable amounts of ash fell as far east as North Dakota. Subsequent to May 1980, the volcano produced pyroclastic flows, debris flows, and lava domes.
Kilauea, Hawaii Ongoing since 1983 Lava flows Nearly 78 square kilometers covered by lava and over 180 dwellings destroyed including, 1n 1990, the entire historic community of Kalapana. 121 Square hectometers of new land added to the Island of Hawaii.
Mauna Loa, Hawaii 1984 Lava flows Hilo, largest city on the Island of Hawaii, threatened.
Augustine Volcano, Alaska 1986 Explosive, dome Ash plume disrupted air traffic and deposited ash in Anchorage. A dome built in the crater led to fear of dome collapse triggering a tsunami along the east shore of Cook Inlet, as happened in 1883.
Redoubt Volcano, Alaska 1989-1990 Explosive, dome Debris flows caused temporary closing of the Drift River Oil Terminal. A 747 jet aircraft temporarily lost power in all 4 engines when it entered the volcanic ash plume, and it would have crashed had its engines not been started just 1,219 meters above the mountain peaks toward which it was heading.


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08/20/04, Lyn Topinka