May 18, 1980 #2

[AMBOMB]

Suppose the United States had gone to war with Iran over the hostage crisis on the same day Mount St. Helens erupted. Within what radius of Mount St. Helens would the eruption have been the top news story?

 

[Delta Force]

Here is a map of the areas that were impacted by volcanic ash.

So, at the very least:
-- Washington
-- Oregon (eruption is visible from Portland, where most of the state lives)
-- Idaho
-- Montana
-- Wyoming
-- Colorado
-- North Dakota
-- South Dakota
-- Oklahoma (major deployable military presence might skew reporting to focus on the war)
-- Minnesota (partially impacted)

It might also be the top news story in other states, especially Western and Midwestern states that have less of a military presence that is likely to be deployed. It also depends on how much advance notice the public has of the war. If there has been a lot of buildup and initial operations are minor with limited to no American casualties, the war might not be the leading news story.

 

[AMBOMB]

Here is a map of the areas that were impacted by volcanic ash.

So, at the very least:
-- Washington
-- Oregon (eruption is visible from Portland, where most of the state lives)
-- Idaho
-- Montana
-- Wyoming
-- Colorado
-- North Dakota
-- South Dakota
-- Oklahoma (major deployable military presence might skew reporting to focus on the war)
-- Minnesota (partially impacted)

It might also be the top news story in other states, especially Western and Midwestern states that have less of a military presence that is likely to be deployed. It also depends on how much advance notice the public has of the war. If there has been a lot of buildup and initial operations are minor with limited to no American casualties, the war might not be the leading news story.

Damn. I had no idea it was that big. And what's up with Oklahoma? Assume the preparation was like Operation Desert Shield and a start like the start of Operation Desert Storm.

 

[Delta Force]

Damn. I had no idea it was that big. And what's up with Oklahoma? Assume the preparation was like Operation Desert Shield and a start like the start of Operation Desert Storm.

If the volcanic ash entered the upper atmosphere, the winds could take it very far away from its initial source. The maps aren't precise enough to tell, but it's possible that war operations could be impacted by the ash cloud. Tinker Air Force Base might have been within the area, and it's possible that butterflies could cause it to directly impact the base. Flight operations are likely to be impacted generally in areas of the Midwest because volcanic ash wrecks havoc on jet engines. It also impacts cars too, with quite a few engines either being temporarily or permanently rendered inoperative after ingesting ash.

 

[AMBOMB]

If the volcanic ash entered the upper atmosphere, the winds could take it very far away from its initial source. The maps aren't precise enough to tell, but it's possible that war operations could be impacted by the ash cloud. Tinker Air Force Base might have been within the area, and it's possible that butterflies could cause it to directly impact the base. Flight operations are likely to be impacted generally in areas of the Midwest because volcanic ash wrecks havoc on jet engines. It also impacts cars too, with quite a few engines either being temporarily or permanently rendered inoperative after ingesting ash.

The Iranians might have thought the eruption was divine assistance.