Remembering Mount St. Helens: 46 years after the historic volcanic eruption

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- May 18th marks the 46th anniversary of the devastating Mount St. Helens eruption in Washington State.

The powerful volcanic event killed 57 people and devastated some 210 miles of wilderness across the Cascade Range.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded just before the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.

The eruption significantly reduced the mountain's height by 1,300 feet. Ash from the volcano covered parts of 11 states and Canada, causing more than $1 billion in damage.