The disruption of the transportation network
The late afternoon lahar on the North Fork of the Toutle Rivern was so large that nearly every bridge crossing it was destroyed. One that survived was an older span carrying the Pacific Highway. Flow is to the right in this view. Most of the far bank of the river is covered with dredge spoil.
Photo by James Maynard © 2011 - free use with attribution [full-size jpeg]
The same bridge immediately after the eruption, taken from the east side. Note the mud line on the trees. Photo from US Geological Survey Cascade Volcano Observatory site [full size jpeg]
