#14: Eruption of Mt. Lassen, California, 1915

No, folks, this is not a doctored image. And no, despite the distinctly mushroom-shaped cloud looming in the background, this is not an atomic what-do-you-call-it. Rather, this is a volcanic eruption. It was one of two volcanic eruptions that took place in the mainland United States over the course of the twentieth century.

It’s true; we don’t generally associate volcano eruptions with America. Those big scary mountains are in Europe or Asia. But on May 22nd, 1915, Lassen Peak in California produced such a powerful eruption that nearby areas were severely damaged, and the resultant ash found its way as far as 280 miles away.