Volcanoes Week 4

This week we visited Mount Rainier which is located southeast of Seattle Washington in Mount Rainier National Park. This volcano is composite and considered to be one of the most dangerous in the world. Its location is because of the subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate off the western coast of North America. It is apparent we can see the signs of build up from previous lava and loose rubble from its tall cone .

Source: https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=5003191&id=409D20B7-FABE-DBAD-702ED41D4ACA17DD&gid=3EB2379E-AD8F-162A-F77A7B8FBFA0F051

This volcano is considered an active stratovolcano. Although it has been dormant for approximately 150 years it shows signs of possible eruption in the coming years. Considering these signs, there are hazard concerns for the people living in this area. Due to the explosiveness and enormity of eruption that can occur from Mount Rainier, potentially 80,000 people are believed to be in harms way.

Although this volcano is considered geologically young at about 1 million years old it is about 14,410 feet high. It has formed from eruptions and andesite lava flows over this period of time. When visiting and looking at the detail of the flows (pictured below) it is absolutely beautiful. What an absolutely amazing piece of earth! Lets hope it doesn't erupt any time soon.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Rainier