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Mount St. Helens, Washington
Pyroclastic Flow Images
1980-Current

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MSH80_USGS_scientist_examines_pyroclastic_flow_05-30-80.jpg
U.S. Geological Survey scientist examines pumice blocks at the edge of a pyroclastic flow from the May 18, 1980 eruption.
USGS Photograph taken on May 30, 1980, by Donald A. Swanson.
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MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_USGS_scientist_from_north_08-07-80_bw.jpg
Beginning of pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption.
USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman.
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MSH80_pyroclastic_flow_from_st_helens_crater_08-07-80.jpg
During the May 18, 1980 eruption, at least 17 separate pyroclastic flows descended the flanks of Mount St. Helens. Pyroclastic flows typically move at speeds of over 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers/hour) and reach temperatures of over 800 Degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Celsius). Photographed here, a pyroclastic flow from the August 7, 1980 eruption stretches from Mount St. Helens' crater to the valley floor below.
USGS Photograph taken on August 7, 1980, by Peter W. Lipman.
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MSH80_pyroclastic_flows_august7_on_july22_09-30-80.jpg
August 7, 1980 pyroclastic flow on top of July 22, 1980 pyroclastic flow.
USGS Photograph taken on September 30, 1980, by Lyn Topinka.
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MSH80_aerial_pyroclastic_flows_10-04-80.jpg
Aerial view of pyroclastic flows from crater of Mount St. Helens.
USGS Photograph taken on October 4, 1980, by Lyn Topinka.
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MSH80_USGS_scientist_toe_pyroclastic_flow_10-17-80.jpg
U.S. Geological Survey scientist examines pumice blocks at the toe of a pyroclastic flow.
USGS Photograph taken on October 17, 1980, by Terry Leighley, Sandia Labs.
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MSH05_pyroclastic_flows_from_1980_07-13-05.jpg
Aerial view of Mount St. Helens' 1980 pyroclastic flows, as seen 25 years later.
USGS Photograph taken on July 13, 2005, by John Pallister.
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12/04/06, Lyn Topinka