<P> There were also indirect and intangible costs of the eruption . Unemployment in the immediate region of Mount St. Helens rose tenfold in the weeks immediately following the eruption, and then returned to near - normal levels once timber - salvaging and ash - cleanup operations were underway . Only a small percentage of residents left the region because of lost jobs owing to the eruption . Several months after May 18, a few residents reported suffering stress and emotional problems, even though they had coped successfully during the crisis . Counties in the region requested funding for mental health programs to assist such people . </P> <P> Initial public reaction to the May 18 eruption dealt a nearly crippling blow to tourism, an important industry in Washington . Not only was tourism down in the Mount St. Helens--Gifford Pinchot National Forest area, but conventions, meetings and social gatherings also were cancelled or postponed at cities and resorts elsewhere in Washington and neighboring Oregon not affected by the eruption . The adverse effect on tourism and conventioneering, however, proved only temporary . Mount St. Helens, perhaps because of its reawakening, has regained its appeal for tourists . The United States Forest Service and the State of Washington opened visitor centers and provided access for people to view the volcano's devastation . </P> <P> St. Helens produced an additional five explosive eruptions between May and October 1980 . Through early 1990 at least 21 periods of eruptive activity had occurred . The volcano remains active, with smaller, dome - building eruptions continuing into 2008 . </P> <P> An eruption occurred on May 25, 1980, at 2: 30 a.m. that sent an ash column 9 miles (14 km) into the atmosphere . The eruption was preceded by a sudden increase in earthquake activity and occurred during a rainstorm . Erratic wind from the storm carried ash from the eruption to the south and west, lightly dusting large parts of western Washington and Oregon . Pyroclastic flows exited the northern breach and covered avalanche debris, lahars and other pyroclastic flows deposited by the May 18 eruption . </P>

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