May 18
BLOW YOUR TOP DAY
When we get angry, it is said that we “blow our tops.” This saying obviously came from the angry gods that make volcanoes blow their tops.
On this day in 1980, the 9,677-foot Mt. St. Helens, quiet for 93 years, became extremely angry and blew its top. The volcanic blast was five hundred times more powerful than the atomic bomb that leveled Hiroshima.
Steam and ash erupted more than eleven miles into the atmosphere and darkened skies in a 160-mile radius. Forest fires erupted around the volcano and burned out of control. The eruption, and those that followed, left some sixty dead and caused damage amounting to nearly three billion dollars.Geologists said that the blast, which was felt over one hundred miles away, was probably triggered by two earthquakes. Scientists had been watching the long-dormant volcano since it first emitted some steam and ash on March 26. Eruptions occurred again on May 25 and June 12. Now that’s a long time to stay angry!
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
No portion of these files may be reproduced without the express, written permission of 440 International Inc.
