Hazards That Could Occur Independent of an Eruption

Lahar from Mt. Pinatubo. Photo credit: MTU Volcanoes

People associate volcanic eruptions with lava flow and great plumes of ash, and although these would cause damage and panic, there are other hazards that could cause large-scale devastation without an eruption. Sector collapse, glacial outburst floods, and lahars represent some of the greatest threats from Mount Rainier and, unfortunately, are almost impossible to predict. These hazards could affect a greater number of people.

There have been several catastrophic events in history that clearly illustrate the potential for death and destruction - Mount Pinatubo most recently, Nevado del Ruiz in 1985, and many more.

Next:
Continue with Rainier's Hazards - Review Questions