2023-05-23 09:24:18
Mount St. Helens on a satellite image from 1980 – after the volcanic eruption.
For decades, researchers have followed developments around Mount St. Helens after its volcanic eruption. Satellite images show the green landscape reverting to the grey-brown area.
The explosion was like “uncorking a champagne bottle” – that’s what it writes Earth Observatory der Nasa about the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. The largest landslide in history was triggered. This can also be seen in the images that satellites have taken over decades.
NASA’s Landsat satellites recorded the area in southern Washington state before the eruption. The Earth Observatory released a 1979 image of the snow-capped peak of Mount St. Helens, which had been dormant for decades. The images still stand out because of the mostly red area: At that time, the technology was not yet able to capture blue light. However, this is necessary for photo-like recordings, red, green and blue wavelengths have to be recorded for this.
The photo-like recordings have therefore only been available since the technology has reached the appropriate level – in the photo series published by NASA this is the case from 1984. At that time, the eruption was four years ago, and its consequences can be clearly seen on the satellite image.
Life is coming back: satellite images show the landscape recovering after a volcanic eruption
During the eruption, the north face of the mountain collapsed, causing the landslide. Even before the eruption there were earthquakes, which occurred again and again from mid-March 1980. When the increasing activity was noticed, a safety zone was reached around the volcano and residents had to leave the area.
Researchers have been drawn to the looming eruption. One of them was the volcanologist David Johnston. According to a report by Deutschlandfunks he had repeatedly warned of the eruption and urged evacuation. He himself observed the development of the volcano near today’s Johnston Ridge Observatory, which is said to commemorate him and is located north of the crater of Mount St. Helens. His observation post was at Spirit Lake.
Editor’s Recommendations
The landslide spilled in exactly this direction, which can also be understood from the recordings from space. Johnston was one of 57 people who died in the eruption. The blast caused by the eruption broke trees and blanketed the area around Mount St. Helens in ash.
The outbreak and its consequences are still occupying researchers today. After the eruption, they closely followed the development of the landscape around the crater. They were surprised how quickly the green landscape around the volcano returned – the satellite images show this blossoming.
#Impressive #satellite #images #show #nature #recovering #volcanic #eruption #t3n #digital #pioneers