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How Washington’s volcanoes are changing and the risk of eruptions

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of stories illustrates the role that volcanoes, especially Mount Rainier, play in Washington state. Stories describe Mount Rainier's shrinking peak due to melting ice, and the impact volcanic eruptions would have on places like Orting. Emergency drills, like the large lahar-evacuation drill for students, show how people prepare for disaster.

People sit along the Ruston Way Waterfront with a view of Mount Rainier in the background as they wait for the fireworks show to begin during Tacoma’s 4th of July Summer Blast in Tacoma, Wash. on Monday, July 4, 2022. By Cheyenne Boone

NO. 1: CNN CALLED RAINIER THE US VOLCANO TROUBLING SCIENTISTS THE MOST. HOW WOULD TACOMA FARE?

No one knows when the mountain will next erupt. | Published August 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

A colorful sunrise lights up the sky over Mount Rainier as seen from Tumwater, Washington, on Feb. 26, 2022. By Tony Overman

NO. 2: MOUNT RAINIER IS GETTING SHORTER. HERE’S WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH WA’S HIGHEST POINT

Eric Gilbertson, a mountaineer and scientist, recently posted the new measurements to his website. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

NO. 3: ‘THE MOUNTAIN WAS OUT.’ STATE HISTORY MUSEUM CREATES NEW EXHIBITION CELEBRATING RAINIER

Get an inside look at the exhibition that launched last week. | Published October 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

A cyclist rides by along the Foothills Trail as construction continues on an emergency foot bridge in Orting, Wash., on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The bridge is the first of two planned projects allowing residents to find higher ground in case of a flood or lahar. By Pete Caster

NO. 4: THIS $9 MILLION FOOT BRIDGE WILL HELP RESIDENTS EVACUATE IF MOUNT RAINIER ERUPTS

“I think this is a real boon for the kids that live on the other side of the highway. This has been a wonderful step forward.” | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

A fossilized whirl in a lava lake that was active during the April 2011 eruption of the Axial Seamount.

NO. 5: UNDERWATER PACIFIC VOLCANO EXPECTED TO ERUPT. WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR WA?

The Axial Seamount is located 300 miles off of the coast of Oregon. Researchers say it’s following patterns shown before its last eruption. | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.