Global Volcanism Program

Rainier

Google Earth Placemark with Features

Cite Volcano Profile

United States
High Cascades Volcanic Arc
Composite | Stratovolcano
1450 CE

Country
Volcanic Region
Landform | Volc Type
Last Known Eruption

46.853°N
121.76°W
4,392 m
14,409 ft
321030

Latitude
Longitude
Summit
Elevation
Volcano
Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: June 1969 (CSLP 53-69)

Increased seismicity since September 1968

Card 0619 (27 June 1969) Increased seismicity since September 1968

"Local activity has been increasing each month for the last three months. We have been averaging about 1-3 'Mt. Ranier Events' per 5-day period with an increase to about five per 5-day period last September 1968. This April, the events increased to approximately five per 5-day period. In May, it increased to about six per 5-day period and as of 15 June the increase is to approximately 12 per 5-day period."

Information Contacts: N. Rasmussen, Seismology Station, University of Washington.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Rainier.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

06/1969 (CSLP 53-69) Increased seismicity since September 1968

Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)

June 1969 (CSLP 53-69)

Increased seismicity since September 1968

Card 0619 (27 June 1969) Increased seismicity since September 1968

Information Contacts: N. Rasmussen, Seismology Station, University of Washington.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Synonyms

Tacoma, Mount | Tacoman

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Columbia Crest

Crater

East Crater

Crater

West Crater

Crater

Thermal

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Disappointment Cleaver

Thermal

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

321030

1450 CE

4,392 m / 14,409 ft

46.853°N
121.76°W

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Minor
Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

0
128
3,187
2,667,609

Geological Summary

Mount Rainier is a heavily glaciated andesitic volcano in the Puget Sound region. Large Holocene mudflows from collapse have reached as far as the Puget Sound lowlands. The present summit was constructed within a large crater breached to the NE, formed by collapse during a major explosive eruption about 5,600 years ago that deposited the widespread Osceola Mudflow. Rainier has produced eruptions throughout the Holocene, including about a dozen during the past 2,600 years; the largest of these occurred about 2,200 years ago. The present summit cone is capped by two overlapping craters. Extensive hydrothermal alteration of the upper portion of the volcano has contributed to its structural weakness; an active thermal system has caused periodic melting on flank glaciers and produced an elaborate system of steam caves in the summit icecap. Reported uncertain 19th-century eruptions, including a possible but not confirmed phreatic eruption in 1894, have not left identifiable deposits.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Coombs H A, Howard A D, 1960. United States of America. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 9: 1-68.

Crandell D R, 1969. The geologic story of Mount Rainier. U S Geol Surv Bull, 1292: 1-43.

Crandell D R, 1971. Postglacial lahars from Mount Rainier volcano, Washington. U S Geol Surv Prof Pap, 677: 1-75.

Fiske R S, Hopson C A, Waters A C, 1963. Geology of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. U S Geol Surv Prof Pap, 444: 1-93.

Frank D, 1995. Surficial extent and conceptual model of hydrothermal system at Mount Rainier, Washington. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 65: 51-80.

Gardner J E, Carey S, Sigurdsson H, 1998. Plinian eruptions at Glacier Peak and Newberry volcanoes, United States: implications for volcanic hazards in the Cascade Range. Geol Soc Amer Bull, 110: 173-187.

Hildreth W E, 2007. Quaternary magmatism in the Cascades--geologic perpectives. U S Geol Surv Prof Pap, 1744: 1-125.

John D A, Sisson T W, Breit G N, Rye R O, Vallance J W, 2008. Characteristics, extent and origin of hydrothermal alteration at Mount Rainier Volcano, Cascades Arc, USA: implications for debris-flow hazards and mineral deposits. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 175: 289-314.

Moxham R M, Crandell D R, Marlatt W E, 1965. Thermal features at Mount Rainier, Washington, as revealed by infrared surveys. U S Geol Surv Prof Pap, 525-D: 93-100.

Mullineaux D R, 1974. Pumice and other pyroclastic deposits in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. U S Geol Surv Bull, 1326: 1-83.

Pringle P T, 2008. Roadside geology of Mount Rainier National Park and vicinity. Wash State Dept Nat Resour, Inf Circ 107, 200 p.

Reid M E, Sisson T W, Brien D L, 2001. Volcano collapse produced by hydrothermal alteration and edifice shape, Mount Rainier, Washington. Geology, 29: 779-782.

Sherrod D R, Smith J G, 1990. Quaternary extrusion rates of the Cascade Range, northwestern United States and southern British Columbia. J. Geophys. Res, 95: 19,465-19,474.

Sisson T W, Vallance J W, 2009. Frequent eruptions of Mount Rainier over the last ~2,600 years. Bull Volcanol, 71: 595-618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-008-0245-7

Stockstill K R, Vogel T A, Sisson T W, 2003. Origin and emplacement of the andesite of Burroughs Mountain, a zoned, large-volume lava flow at Mount Rainier, Washington, USA. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 119: 275-296.

Vallance J W, Scott W E, 1997. The Osceola mudflow from Mount Rainier: sedimentology and hazard implications of a huge clay-rich debris flow. Geol Soc Amer Bull, 109: 143-163.

Venezky D Y, Rutherford M J, 1997. Preeruption conditions and timing of dacite-andesite magma mixing in the 2.2 ka eruption at Mount Rainier. J. Geophys. Res, 102: 20,069-20,086.

Wood C A, Kienle J (eds), 1990. Volcanoes of North America. Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ Press, 354 p.

Zimbelman D R, Rye R O, Landis G P, 2000. Fumaroles in ice caves on the summit of Mount Rainier--preliminary stable isotope, gas, and geochemical studies. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 97: 457-473.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 20 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1894 Nov 21 (?) - 1894 Dec 24 (?) ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1894 Nov 21 (?) - 1894 Dec 24 (?)

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	1894 Nov 21	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1882 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1882 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Brown billowy clouds from summit reported by early settlers (Hopson et al., 1962).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1882	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1879 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1879 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Brown billowy clouds from summit reported by early settlers (Hopson et al., 1962).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1879	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1870 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1870 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1870	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1858 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1858 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Eruption reports not verified (Hopson et al. 1962).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1858	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1854 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1854 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Eruption reports not verified (Hopson et al., 1962).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1854	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1843 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1843 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

Eruption reports not verified (Hopson et al., 1962).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	1843	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1825 (?) ] Discredited Eruption

Tephra layer X, tree ring dated about 1825 CE (Mullineaux, 1974), was considered to be the youngest dated tephra from Mount Rainier, and is found on young moraines primarily to the east and northeast. Reports from indigenous people note fire, noises, and an earthquake from about 1820 CE (Harris, 1976). Sisson and Vallance (2009), however, noted that occurrences of layer X consist of lapilli and scoria of tephra layer C that were redeposited by snow avalanches and do not represent deposits of a 19th century eruption.

1450 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

1450 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

The Electron mudflow was emplaced about 500 cal. years BP (John et al., 2008). Vallance et al. (2001) noted numerous lahars between about 600 and 400 calibrated years BP, including the Electron mudflow. No tephra layers were found, but glassy clasts in the lahars were interpreted as juvenile material from associated eruptions. Sisson and Vallance (2009) noted that juvenile bombs were entrained from earlier pyroclastic-flow deposits, and that although some clasts could represent juvenile eruptive material, the evidence for a juvenile component to Electron Mudflow event is weak.

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	Uncertain
	- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

0910 ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

0910 ± 500 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

0440 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layers TC1 and TC2

0440 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layers TC1 and TC2

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

0150 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer SL8

0150 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer SL8

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash

0250 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer C

0250 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer C

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Blocks
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
0250 BCE ± 200 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

0400 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

0400 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatomagmatic	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Ash

0500 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer SL5

0500 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer SL5

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatomagmatic
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash

0610 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layers SL3 and SL4

0610 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layers SL3 and SL4

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatomagmatic
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs

0650 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer SL2

0650 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer SL2

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatomagmatic
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

0700 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer SL1

0700 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer SL1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatomagmatic
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Uncertain
- - - -	- - - -	Avalanche
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

2550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer B

2550 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer B

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
2550 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

2750 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer H

2750 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer H

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
2750 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

3650 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layers S, F

3650 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 10 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layers S, F

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Directed Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Avalanche
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
- - - -	- - - -	Edifice Destroyed	Collapse/avalanche
3650 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

3850 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

3850 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

4850 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer N

4850 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer N

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
4850 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

5050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer D

5050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer D

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
5050 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

5350 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer L

5350 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer L

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Bombs
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
5350 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

5550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer A

5550 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer A

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
5550 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

7800 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

7800 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow

8050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Tephra layer R

8050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer R

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
8050 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Rainier.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Rainier.

Photo Gallery

Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascade Range, towers above the city of Tacoma and forms a prominent landmark seen from much of central Washington. Periodic collapse of the volcano during the past ten thousand years has produced debris avalanches and lahars that have reached the Puget Sound at the present locations of the cities of Tacoma and Seattle.

Photo by Lyn Topinka (U.S. Geological Survey).

A volcanologist from the U.S. Geological Survey observes the glaciated NW flank of Mount Rainier during a field survey to conduct monitoring measurements on Ptarmigan Ridge. The North Mowich Glacier in the center of the photo descended to about 1,500 m elevation when this photo was taken in 1983.

Photo by Lyn Topinka, 1983 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Stratovolcanoes, also referred to as composite volcanoes, are constructed of sequential layers of resistant lava flows and fragmented rock produced by explosive eruptions. An aerial view of the glacially dissected SW flank of Mount Rainier shows the layered interior of a stratovolcano.

Photo by Dan Dzurisin, 1982 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Mount Rainier towers above the town of Orting located 40 km NW in this 1995 photo. The plain underlying the town is composed of the Electron Mudflow, which formed the flat valley floor about 500 years ago. The mudflow, which originated from partial collapse of part of the western flank of Rainier, was about 30 m deep when it exited valleys at the mountain front and flowed onto the Puget Lowland.

Photo by Dave Wieprecht, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Two overlapping craters at the summit of Mount Rainier are viewed here from the NE in 1995. They are both about 400 m across and represent more recent activity after the collapse 5,600 years ago. Thermal activity formed a series of fumaroles and ice caves within the icecap filling the summit craters.

Photo by Dave Wieprecht, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

An aerial view from near the eastern margin of Mount Rainier National Park shows the volcano rising above glacially eroded terrain of the Ohanapecosh formation, composed of Tertiary volcanic rocks. The smooth, glaciated upper NE flank in this 1992 photo is the location of the post-collapse cone constructed within the failure scarp left by the Osceola debris avalanche and lahar about 5,600 years ago.

Photo by Dave Wieprecht, 1992 (U.S. Geological Survey).

The south flank of Rainier is seen here from the Tatoosh Range, with the Nisqually Glacier below the snow line in this 1980 photo. Meadows and forests of the Paradise area lie immediately below and to the right of the glacier. This is one of 25 named glaciers on Rainier, with the snow, ice, loose rock, and hydrothermal alteration posing a risk of lahars and debris avalanches for surrounding areas.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1980 (Smithsonian Institution).

Mount Rainier rises above Yakima Park on the north side of the volcano in this 1972 photo. Emmons Glacier descends to the left from the summit within a broad valley alongside Little Tahoma Peak (far left). The valley formed when part of Mount Rainier collapsed during an eruption episode about 5,600 years ago, producing the Osceola mudflow that reached the Puget Sound area.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1972 (Smithsonian Institution).

A large lava flow forms Burroughs Mountain on the NE flank of Mount Rainier. The 3.4 km³ flow is up to 350 m thick and is 11 km in length. The flow erupted about 500,000 years ago at the onset of an initial growth period of modern Mount Rainier and overlies block-and-ash flow deposits. The flow is perched on a ridge top and has ice-contact features, indicative of its emplacement against the margins of a thick Pleistocene glacier.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1982 (Smithsonian Institution).

The trees in the foreground along Kautz Creek were killed by a debris flow from the SW flank of Mount Rainier in 1947, which covered a road with 8.5 m of mud and debris. Relatively small debris flows occur relatively frequently, with deposits of a half dozen or more debris flow deposits exposed in the Kautz Creek valley walls.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1980 (Smithsonian Institution).

Housing development on a mudflow deposit that originated from Mount Rainier, partially obscured by clouds in the center background. The tree stump in the foreground was buried by the Electron mudflow about 500 years ago, that began as an avalanche of hydrothermally altered rock on Rainier's W flank.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1994 (Smithsonian Institution).

Two overlapping craters are at the summit of Mount Rainier. Continued high heat flux has produced fumaroles that have formed ice tunnels in the 100-m-deep icecap filling the eastern summit crater, shown in this 1958 photo. Ice caves are also present in the smaller western crater, which contains a small crater lake beneath the ice.

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1958 (Smithsonian Institution).

Mount Rainier rises beyond Tipsoo Lake, near Chinook Pass at the eastern end of Mount Rainier National Park. The snow-free peaks of the Cowlitz Chimneys below Rainier are composed of volcanic rocks of the Oligocene Ohanapecosh Formation which underlies the volcano.

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1959 (Smithsonian Institution).

The Tahoma Glacier flows from the summit icecap of Mount Rainier between Liberty Cap (left) and Point Success (right) in this aerial view from the SW in 1969. The current summit was constructed within a scarp left by the collapse of the summit about 5,600 years ago. Slope failure of the summit or upper flanks of the hydrothermally altered volcano has occurred several times during the Holocene, producing massive debris avalanches and mudflows that swept into the Puget lowlands.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1969 (Smithsonian Institution).

Stratovolcanoes are composed of accumulated layers of lava flows from effusive eruptions and fragmented rock from explosive eruptions. Glacier-clad Mount Rainier, seen here from the NW, is located in the northern Cascade Range. Most eruptions originate from a central conduit, which produces the common conical profile of stratovolcanoes, but flank eruptions also occur. Both isolated stratovolcanoes like Mount Rainier and compound volcanoes formed by overlapping cones are common.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1983 (Smithsonian Institution).

Mount Rainier is located east of the Puget Sound region, seen here from High Knob to the SW in 1981. Large Holocene mudflows from this heavily glaciated volcano have reached as far as the Puget Sound lowlands. Several postglacial tephras have erupted from Rainier, with tree-ring dating placing the last recognizable tephra deposit during the 19th century. Extensive hydrothermal alteration of the upper portion of the volcano has contributed to its structural weakness.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1981 (Smithsonian Institution).

This view of Mount Rainier from the NW shows neighboring Mount Adams to the right in 1985. The steep Willis Wall, named after the 19th-century geologist Bailey Willis, is to the left and exposes relatively young lava flows.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1985 (Smithsonian Institution)

Mount Adams (lower right) and Mount Rainier are the two southernmost of a N-S-trending chain of large stratovolcanoes in the Cascade Range of Washington state. Adams Glacier can be seen descending to the SE from the summit icecap of Mount Adams in this aerial view from the south. The 1,250 km² Mount Adams volcanic field contains numerous flank cones and lava flows, several of which erupted during the Holocene. Mount Rainier, Washington's highest peak, has been less active during the Holocene, but erupted during the 19th century.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1980 (Smithsonian Institution).

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 41 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 87859-1	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-10	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-11	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-12	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-13	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-14	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-15	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-16	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-17	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-18	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-19	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-2	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-20	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-21	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-22	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-23	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-24	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-25	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-26	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-27	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-28	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-29	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-3	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-30	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-31	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-32	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-33	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-34	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-35	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-36	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-37	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-38	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-39	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-4	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-40	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-41	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-5	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-6	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-7	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-8	Volcanic Rock	--	--
NMNH 87859-9	Volcanic Rock	--	--

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Rainier. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Rainier. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Rainier

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).