So You Think Seattle's About to Get Ashy? The Volcano Lowdown for the Emerald City Dweller
Let's face it, Seattleites, living in the shadow of a majestic mountain like Mount Rainier has its perks (stunning views, bragging rights, endless supply of REI receipts). But for some folks, that majestic mountain comes with a side of worry – is it a volcano? Will we be dodging lava bombs while sipping our lattes?
Hold your horses (or should we say, your venti Frappuccinos?) While Seattle does have some fiery neighbors, a fiery apocalypse isn't exactly brewing. Here's the dirt on the volcanoes that call Washington home:
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
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| What Volcano Is Near Seattle Washington |
The Big Kahuna: Mount Rainier
This stratovolcano (fancy word for a volcano built up of lava, ash, and rocks) is the closest one to Seattle, clocking in at about 59 miles south-southeast. Don't worry, that's too far for a pyroclastic flow delivery (think super hot, super fast ash avalanche – not on the Seattle to-do list).
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
Now, Mount Rainier is considered active, but its last eruption was a good 1,500 years ago (not exactly phoning it in). The bigger concern for Seattle is a lahar, which is basically a giant mudflow caused by melting snow and ice during an eruption. But fear not, intrepid coffee guzzlers! The last lahar that reached Seattle's neck of the woods was over 10,000 years ago (seems like they were social distancing back then too).
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
The Rest of the Cascade Crew
Washington has a thing for volcanoes – Mount St. Helens, Glacier Peak, Mount Adams, and Mount Baker are all part of the Cascade Range. These guys range from chill to had-a-major-glow-up in 1980 (that's Mount St. Helens, for those keeping score). While they all pose some level of volcanic risk, none are imminent threats to Seattle.
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
In short, Seattle's volcanic risk is more like a sprinkle of ash on your pumpkin spice latte than a full-on Krakatoa situation.
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FAQ: You Volcanic FAQuestions, Answered!
How to Prepare for a Volcanic Eruption in Seattle? The best thing to do is stay informed! Sign up for alerts from the City of Seattle and King County Emergency Management (https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division). Also, knowing your evacuation route is a good idea (but hey, that's just good planning in general for any emergency).
How to Know When Mount Rainier is Going to Erupt? Volcanoes aren't exactly the chatty type, but scientists are constantly monitoring Mount Rainier. An increase in earthquakes or ground deformation could be signs of an impending eruption, but even with those, there's usually a warning window.
How to Protect Yourself from Volcanic Ash? Volcanic ash can be irritating to the lungs, so having a well-fitting N95 mask on hand is a good idea. You can also cover your exposed skin and eyes.
How to Clean Up Volcanic Ash? Ash can be pretty messy, but it's usually cleaned up with water and a lot of patience. Just be careful not to hose it down too forcefully, or you could create a bigger mess!
How to Move to a Place with No Volcanoes? Well, that's a whole other conversation. But hey, at least Seattle's scenic!
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