Mount Rainier volcano: Will there be major eruption? Why Volcanologists are worried about Washington peak?
Mount Rainier's Threat to Local People
Volcanologist and Union of Concerned Scientists ambassador Jess Phoenix discussed her worries about Mount Rainier in an episode of CNN Original Series titled «Violent Earth With Liv Schreiber.» She said that she is really concerned about Mount Rainier since it presents a serious threat to the people that are close by. She claims that the ancient mudflows from previous eruptions of Mount Rainier, which are roughly 100 feet (30.5 meters) thick, are the basis upon which Tacoma and South Seattle are built.
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US Geological Survey experts note Mount Rainier's biggest risk lies in lahars—fast-moving mixes of water and volcanic debris. These can swiftly flood valleys after melting ice or snow during an eruption.
Seth Moran from USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory warns that Mount Rainier's height and icy covering mean eruptions could rapidly melt ice, triggering large lahars. Such events could affect thousands living nearby.
About Lahars
Lahars are rapid debris flows. Colombia's Nevado del Ruiz eruption in 1985 caused one of the deadliest lahars, killing over 23,000 people in Armero within hours.
As reported by CNN, Bradley Pitcher from Columbia University warns Mount Rainier, with eight times more glaciers than Nevado del Ruiz, could experience a more catastrophic mudflow.
US Geological survey's assessment
In 2018, USGS ranked Hawaii's Kīlauea as the most hazardous US volcano due to its frequent eruptions and nearby
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