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Week Ending May 20, 2005

Senate Resolution 146 recognizing the 25^th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

BRIEF

   It was twenty five years ago on May 18 when Washington State’s Mount St. Helens blew about 1300 feet off of its’ crown killing 57. Six miles out temperatures reached 1300 degrees and winds reached 80 miles per hour.

   The Resolution calls for the remembrance of the event and illuminates the importance of monitoring the 169 volcanoes in the United States and its’ territories.

Sponsor: Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (May 18, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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MORE INFORMATION

   S. Res. 146

   Whereas, on May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the volcano of Mount St. Helens erupted, changing its elevation from 9,677 feet to 8,363 feet;

   Whereas the eruption was triggered by an earthquake of magnitude 5.1 approximately 1 mile beneath the volcano;

   Whereas the lateral blast covered an area approximately 230 square miles and reached as far as 17 miles northwest of the crater;

   Whereas the velocity of the blast was estimated to be at least 300 miles per hour;

   Whereas the pyroclastic flows covered 6 square miles, reached temperatures of 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit, and moved at speeds between 50 and 80 miles per hour;

   Whereas, as a result of the eruption, over 4,000,000,000 board-feet of timber was blown down, which is enough material to build about 150,000 homes;

   Whereas volcanic ash clouded the sky above eastern Washington, reached the east coast of the United States in 3 days, and eventually circled the globe in 15 days;

   Whereas the eruption claimed the lives of 57 people; and

   Whereas tens of thousands of animals perished: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) recognizes the 25th Anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 2005;

    (2) acknowledges the importance of monitoring all 169 volcanoes in the United States and its territories;

    (3) recognizes the invaluable work of the Department of the Interior, the United States Geological Survey, the United States Forest Service, the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Cascade Volcano Observatory in monitoring the activities of Mount St. Helens;

    (4) acknowledges the progress in science that has led to a more comprehensive understanding of volcanology, seismology, and plate tectonics, thus enhancing the ability to predict volcanic activity and eruptions; and

    (5) supports monitoring volcanoes and helping to develop emergency response plans to ensure that the people and communities of the United States are safe.

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