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Background

Prior to the 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens formed a conical, youthful volcano sometimes called the Fuji-san of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 400 m of the summit was removed by collapse of the slope, that left a 2 x 3.5 km horseshoe-shaped crater now partially filled by a lava dome. Mount St. Helens is a very young volcano and only about 40-50,000 years old.
It has been the most active volcano in the Cascade Range during the past 10,000 years, and the modern edifice was constructed during the last 2,200 years, when the volcano produced basaltic as well as andesitic and dacitic products from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions in the 19th century were witnessed by early settlers.


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Sources:

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
St. Helens Information from the Global Volcanism Program


Mount St. Helens volcano, Washington State, Canada and USA (mainland): news & activity updates

Updated: Mar 31, 2023 19:00 GMT-
Tue, 10 May 2016, 11:03
Earthquakes under Mount St. Helens volcano during 1988-2016; magmatic recharge swarms are marked, along with the most recent earthquake swarm. (image: USGS / Cascade Volcano Observatory via Eruptions Blog)
Since the beginning of 2016, a swarm of small earthquakes has been occurring at under the volcano, suggesting that another phase of magma recharge is currently taking place. Read all
stratovolcano 2549 m / 8,363 ft
Washington State (Canada and USA (mainland)), 46.2°N / -122.18°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) Mount St. Helens volcano eruptions:
2004-08, 1990-91, 1989-90, 1980-86 (18 May 1980: Plinian eruption), 1921(?), 1903(?), 1898(?), 1857, 1854, 1853, 1850, 1849(?), 1848, 1847, 1842-45, 1835, 1831
Typical eruption style
Explosive
Satellite images of Mt.St. Helens by (c) Google Earth View
Satellite images of Mt.St. Helens by (c) Google Earth View
Mt. St. Helens in Sept. 2005, seen from the N with its grand amphitheatre left by the collapse during the 18 May, 1980 eruption (photo courtesy: W Heise).
Mt. St. Helens in Sept. 2005, seen from the N with its grand amphitheatre left by the collapse during the 18 May, 1980 eruption (photo courtesy: W Heise).
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