A Ticking Time Bomb
Creation of the MountainMount Rainier is a stratovolcano and began erupting one half to one million years ago. Its most recent activity was in the 1890s. Each eruption alternates from quiet lava eruptions to large debris forming eruptions. Lava and loose rubble built up to form layers and a tall cone, whose upper section was destroyed highly likely due to explosions, landslides, or the glaciers that formed the mountain's rugged structure. The peak's summit has also worn down over the years, but the eruptions in the last 2,000 years have rebuilt the landform to its current height of 14,410 feet today.
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Effects of Mount Rainier TodayAs you can see in the diagram to the left, Mount Rainier (part of the Cascade Range) is located on a subduction zone, and experiences about 20 small earthquakes each year. It is the 2nd most active and highest volcano of the Northern Cascade Range, following Mount Saint Helens. The concern with Mount Rainier though, is that it rises above 3.3 million people and is very hazardous and potential for eruptions. Mount Rainier is also one of the sixteen volcanoes chosen to be a part of the Decade Volcano incentive, which was established by the United Nations in order to use science to reduce harmful potential effects and natural disasters caused by volcanoes. Mount Rainier was chosen because of its high geothermal activity, recent volcanic activity, its prediction to erupt again, its location that is a potential threat to densely populated surrounding areas, its fame, and it is accessible to study and gather information/ data. Watch the video below to get an even more thorough background of this potentially disastrous situation. Then take the poll below to share your opinion about what should be done.
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