Is Mount St. Helens more dangerous than Mauna Loa and please explain?

Answer 1

Mount St. Helens is generally considered more dangerous than Mauna Loa due to its history of explosive eruptions and proximity to populated areas. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was highly destructive, resulting in significant loss of life and property. In contrast, Mauna Loa, while a large and active shield volcano, primarily produces less explosive lava flows that tend to be less threatening to nearby populations. Thus, the nature of eruptions and the surrounding environment contribute to the perception of danger associated with each volcano.