Lahar Detection and Volcano Monitoring
Proposed Expansion to the Lahar Detection and Volcano Monitoring System at Mount Rainier National Park
Map of 12 existing monitoring sites with Mount Rainier National Park.
Current Monitoring Sites
Mount Rainier is an active volcano located near the growing Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Lahars, or volcanic mudslides, are the primary volcanic hazard with potential to impact people living, working, or recreating within or near Mount Rainier National Park.
As of September 2020, the USGS monitors Mount Rainier volcanic activity along with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network using a network of monitoring stations. This network includes 12 existing monitoring sites within Mount Rainier National Park with a mix of seismic and GPS monitoring Equipment.
Map of five new monitoring sites recently approved.
Recently Approved Sites
The USGS is proposing to increase the existing monitoring system at Mount Rainier to improve overall volcano monitoring and lahar detection capacity and provide more rapid notification to the immediate area and surrounding communities in the event of a volcanic event or mudflow.
The NPS has considered the USGS proposal and approved five new monitoring sites within the park’s more developed administrative areas that have access to existing power and communication services.
Historic Fremont Lookout
Proposed Monitoring Sites
The USGS and NPS are working together to support improved monitoring of volcanic hazards to help protect local communities while also continuing to preserve the character of the Mount Rainier Wilderness and the integrity of the park’s National Historic Landmark District.
“The proposed lahar detection system would help us to install a world-class, real-time monitoring network to detect the earliest signs of unrest.”
Seth Moran, Scientist in Charge at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory.
