Mount Rainier Enters Unprecedented Tremor Phase: Eruption Threat Looms

Why this matters: An eruption of Mount Rainier could have devastating consequences for the 3.3 million people living in the surrounding area, potentially crippling entire communities with ashfall, flooding, and catastrophic mudflows. The 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of lahars.

Mount Rainier's recent seismic activity began with a sharp spike around 5am ET on November 15. Since then, seismometers have recorded constant vibrations, creating a thick black line on seismic instruments. While the USGS has not raised the threat level, this volcanic tremor is one of the longest episodes at Rainier in recent years.

In July, Mount Rainier experienced a massive swarm of earthquakes, with over 1,000 earthquakes recorded in just over three weeks. This event surpassed the last large string of earthquakes in 2009, which lasted three days and produced around 120 minor earthquakes.

The 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens produced a dangerous lahar that destroyed more than 200 homes, over 185 miles of roads, and contributed to the total death toll of 57 people. Experts are currently preparing for the possibility of a lahar forming at Mount Rainier.

How to Prepare:

Who This Affects Most:

The Seattle-Tacoma metro area, with a population of over 3.3 million people, is particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of a Mount Rainier eruption.

A volcanic tremor is a type of nonstop hum or roar that begins when magma, hot water, and gas move around inside a volcano.

Lahars are violent, fast-moving mudflows that can crush, bury, or carry away almost anything in their paths.

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