What was the biggest volcanic eruption in American history?

Maymay

Dear Maymay,

Good question. The biggest eruption in American history was the 1912 eruption (VEI=6) at Katmai and Novarupta in Alaska. It was one of the largest eruptions since 1500 AD. Ash filled a valley 2 miles (3 km) wide and 12 miles (20 km) long with ash to make the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. A caldera was formed and about 7 cubic miles (30 cubic kilometers) of ash was erupted.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota

Sources of Information:
Decker, R., and Decker, B., 1989, Volcanoes: W.H. Freeman, New York, 285 p.

Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.

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