U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95–642

History and Hazards of Mount Rainier, Washington

By Thomas W. Sisson

Summary

Mount Rainier is an active volcano that first erupted about half a million years ago. Because of Rainier's great height (14,410 feet above sea level) and northerly location, glaciers have cut deeply into its lavas, making it appear deceptively older than it actually is. Mount Rainier is known to have erupted as recently as in the 1840s, and large eruptions took place as recently as about 1,000 and 2,300 years ago.

First posted November 9, 2012

Report PDF (0.2 MB)

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For additional information:
Contact CVO
Volcano Science Center, Cascades Volcano Observatory
U.S. Geological Survey
1300 SE Cardinal Court, Building 10, Suite 100
Vancouver, WA 98683-9589
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Sisson, T.W., 1995, History and hazards of Mount Rainier, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95–642, 2 p. (Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/0642/.)

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