Mount St. Helens: The Smoking Mountain

The power of a volcanic eruption is one of nature's most dangerous forces. From the beginning of recorded time, volcanoes have continually changed Earth's surface and weather patterns. Each of these books, which are written to accompany and enhance an earth science curriculum, describes the composition of planet Earth, the different types of volcanoes, and the geologic events that bring about an eruption. This dynamic series takes a look at six of the most important active volcanoes on Earth and the big blasts that have altered the history of humankind.On May 18, 1980, people living near Mount St. Helens learned how powerful and deadly a volcano can be. Despite studies and warnings by volcanologists, people couldn't really predict when an eruption would occur. When it did, 57 people were killed, as well as all plant and animal life in an area of 70 square miles around the volcano.