Mount Rainier: An Interactive Learning Module
| "Compared to any other volcano in the Cascades, Rainier is in a class by itself in terms of risk to human life and property." Kevin Scott, senior geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory in Krakauer, 1996:34. |
Mount Rainier, located close to the heavily populated
area of Seattle-Tacoma in Washington, is a beautiful and seemingly
tranquil mountain. It's not just an ordinary mountain though; it's an
active volcano that has the potential of devastating the lifestyles
of many people. Millions of people live and work around this
beautiful volcano, and many spend their free time
hiking and climbing its steep slopes. Few are aware, however, that
Mount Rainier poses a deadly threat to all who live and play in its
shadow.
Indeed, Mount Rainier is one of the most
potentially deadly volcanoes in the United States. In 1989, it was declared a
"decade volcano" to be studied during the
LESSON 1: Geographical Context
LESSON 2: Mount Rainier’s
Hazards
LESSON 3: Preparing for the Worst