East Dome, the small lava dome at the center, is seen in this 1978 aerial photograph. An explosive eruption preceded emplacement of the dome on the lower E flank of Mount St. Helens about 1,800 years ago. Both the tephra deposit and the lava dome are of a hypersthene dacite composition unique to Mount St. Helens products. This eruption was part of the Sugar Bowl Eruptive Period.

Photo by Rick Hoblitt, 1978 (U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Lava Domes

Keywords: stratovolcano | lava dome | erosion

St. Helens