This Major U S City Is Actually Right Next To One Of The World S Deadliest Volcanoes

With the recent eruption of Mount Kilauea in Hawaii, the danger of living next door to a volcano is more evident than ever. However, many people aren’t aware that one of the most famous mountains in America is also among the world’s most dangerous volcanoes. And it’s right next to Seattle.

Mount Rainer in Washington is one of the country’s most admired peaks, but it’s also a disaster waiting to happen.

Flickr/Oran Viriyincy

Situated in Mount Rainier National Park about 65 miles from downtown Seattle, this mountain is actually an active volcano.

Flickr/Tim Culp

If Mount Rainier were to blow its top, about 80,000 people and their homes would be at risk. This includes those living in Seattle and the surrounding suburbs.

Flickr/Kendrick Hang

The last eruption was in 1894, when a series of small summit eruptions were seen by people all the way in Seattle and Tacoma.

Flickr/Richard White

Though you might think that surging lava and volcanic ash would be the greatest threat in the event of an explosion, lahars would actually be the most dangerous possibility.

Wikimedia Commons/Deathgleaner

Lahars are are basically rivers of rapidly flowing mud and rock. They can travel much farther and faster from the volcano than lava, and cause incredible damage.

Flickr/Jim Culp

Unfortunately, many of the lahar paths around Mount Rainier directly intersect with busy highways, bridges, pipelines, and ports.

Flickr/Alirjd

Worse still, the U.S. Geological Survery classes Mount Rainier as more dangerous than Mount St. Helens due to the volcano’s size and the possibility that there would be no advance warning.

Flickr/Shiva Shenoy

While the possibility of a major eruption is always present, monitoring technology is improving each year.

Flickr/Jacob Mcginnis

Here’s hoping this monster volcano keeps sleeping for a while yet.

Flickr/Turcottes78

For more information about Mount Rainier’s volcanic history and potential, click here. For more gorgeous mountains (that won’t explode beneath you), check out these stunning images of the Appalachian range.