CASCADE

Photo Credit: Soyuz-U (USSR satellite), 20th May 1980 After the catastrophic eruption of Mt St Helens on 18th May 1980, the worst was yet to come. Sudden movement of tectonic plates triggered a series of volcanic events along the Cascade Mountains, the tremors rippling outwards to encompass the entire Pacific Ring of Fire by 26th May. Earthquakes devastated coastal communities, quickly followed by huge tsunamis. Millions choked and died under darkening skies thick with ash, whole towns and cities were wiped off the map in a few hours. Europe and Africa watched in horror as allies and foes alike were swept away. First they thought to send aid, before the dread realisation overtook them. There was no safety for those who survived the initial blasts, the first waves. The ash clouds began to spread, dimming the sun’s rays. As summer progressed, the acid rain began to fall from the dark skies, and it became clear that crops around the world would fail. Supply chains collapsed, and civil unrest took hold as rising food prices threatened even the middle classes. Will this be our extinction event, the survivors asked? Are we doomed to starve? The rich and powerful retreated to their bunkers, governments began to lose control and the desperate hordes began their fight to stay alive. The unmanned satellite continued its mission, oblivious to the carnage it documented below. 3000 x 2000 pixels 6.23mb