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    • Researchers find gophers responsible for recovering Mount St. Helens
    asane

    Researchers find gophers responsible for recovering Mount St. Helens

    Online Niel Posted on

    A look back at the catastrophic 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington – the most devastating volcanic eruption in US history – and the events leading up to it.

    A look back at the catastrophic 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington – the most devastating volcanic eruption in US history – and the events leading up to it.

    MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. – Researchers studying the aftermath of the massive eruption that led to widespread destruction of ecosystems around Mount St. Helens in 1980 believe that a certain species of animal helped restore the area.

    Researchers at the university found that pocket gophers, usually considered nuisances, played a critical role in helping plants regenerate in landslide and eruption areas.

    Biologists estimate that a pocket gopher can move the equivalent of a ton of soil per year, which helped bring beneficial bacteria and fungi that survived the eruption closer to the surface.

    “We further hypothesized that the presence of animal dispersal vectors such as pocket gophers will influence mycorrhizal guilds, community composition, and soil biogeochemical processes due to preferential feeding and other behaviors including bioturbation, scavenging (e.g., faecal deposits) and soil translocation” the researchers said.

    • Mt. St. Helens of Washington State.

      Downed tree in the 1980 eruption area of ​​Mt. St. Helens. Spirit Lake and Mt. St. Helens in background, Washington. (Photo: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
      (Photo: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

    • Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens

      May 5, 1980 Scientists say the bulging northern flank is the result of magmatic intrusion into the volcano in late March.
      (USGS)

    • Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens

      A new observation point is established closer to the volcano, on a ridge 5.5 km from the northern flank. Coldwater II is equipped with cameras, monitoring equipment and radio. A travel trailer houses USGS staff on site 24/7.
      (USGS)

    • Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens

      March 30, 1980: The USGS sets up an army tent in the snow above Maratta Creek and calls it the Coldwater Lookout.
      (USGS)

    • Consequences of the Mount St Helens eruption

      360998 17: Ash covers the landscape May 23, 1980 in Washington state. On May 18, 1980, an earthquake caused a landslide on the north face of Mount St. Helens, peeling off the top of the mountain and triggering an eruption that killed 57 people, destroyed river valleys and destroyed enough trees to build 300,000 houses.
      (John Barr/Link)

    • Mount Saint Helens erupts

      An ash cloud covers a mountain peak May 22, 1980 in Washington state. On May 18, 1980, an earthquake caused a landslide on the north face of Mount St. Helens, peeling off the top of the mountain and triggering an eruption that killed 57 people, destroyed river valleys and destroyed enough trees to build 300,000 homes.
      (John Barr / Link)

    MOUNT ST. HELENS ERUPTED 44 YEARS AGO: HERE’S HOW IT TURNED OUT

    In an area of ​​land that was clearcut before the eruption and void of most animals and vegetation, the ecosystem still appears to be struggling more than four decades after the event.

    “Ecologists are finding increasing evidence that changes in land use and forest management strategies could affect the structure, function, and long-term resilience of managed ecosystems,” the study authors said.

    By comparing the recovery from the logged area with more intact forests, the study suggested that areas that have been affected by human activities may require additional interventions to restore their soil and nutrients.

    Portrait of a gopher in a standing position

    FONTVIEILLE, MONACO – 10/10/2017: Portrait of a gopher in a standing position.

    (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    4 CLASSIC TYPES OF VOLCANOES

    According to the US Geological Surveythe stratovolcano will probably erupt again, but not anytime soon.

    The mountain is showing normal levels of activity, with no signs of an imminent eruption.

    The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network has reported more than 350 earthquakes since February 1, 2024, but these levels are well within limits volcanothe normal range of seismic activity.

    According to volcanologists, large avalanches and large-scale explosions are unlikely to accompany a future eruption due to a deep crater that formed during the previous event.

    The United States is home to nearly 170 of the 1,350 volcanoes that are considered active worldwide.

    The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington, on May 18, 1980, is the worst volcanic eruption in US history, killing 57 people and spewing 520 million tons of ash across the US.

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