Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano located in Pierce County, Washington, in the United States. It is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington and the Cascade Range, with a summit elevation of 14,411 ft (4,392 m).

Geography

Mount Rainier is located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle, which can see its peak on clear days. The mountain is part of the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest, and it is protected within the Mount Rainier National Park. It is a prominent feature in the southern landscape of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Geology

Mount Rainier is a large stratovolcano made of lava flows, volcanic ash, and pyroclastic ejecta and lahars. It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its large amount of glacial ice; if Mount Rainier were to erupt as powerfully as Mount St. Helens did in its May 18, 1980 eruption, the result would be lahars (volcanic mudflows) that would devastate the densely populated areas surrounding it.

History

The mountain was first known by the local Salishan speakers as Tacoma or Takhoma. It was later named Mount Rainier in honor of Rear Admiral Peter Rainier by Captain George Vancouver, who sighted the mountain in 1792.

Recreation

Mount Rainier is a popular peak for mountaineering with some 10,000 attempts per year with approximately 50% making it to the summit. The park contains outstanding subalpine meadows and 91,000 acres of old growth forests.

Flora and Fauna

More than 1,000 species of plants are found in the park, and it provides a range of habitats for wildlife, including elk, black bear, and mountain goat.

See Also

• Mount St. Helens
• Mount Adams (Washington)
• Cascade Volcanoes
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest