A look back at the catastrophic May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington—the most devastating volcanic eruption in U.S. history—and the events leading up to it.

On May 18, 1980, the Mount St. Helens became the largest and most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. By the end of its cycle of fire and fury, 57 people had died.