Part 2: Volcanic hazards in the Pacific Northwest Use information on the Web to

Question

Part 2: Volcanic hazards in the Pacific Northwest
Use information on the Web to answer these questions. I would start with the Smithsonian
Global Volcanism website: http://www.volcano.si.edu/
Congratulations! You have just accepted a job offer in Tacoma, Washington. You now need to
find a place to live in the area, and friends have suggested the nearby bedroom community of
Orting as a place to check out. You drive there and are immediately impressed by the incredible
view of nearby Mount Rainier. Having just taken EES 220 at UK last semester, you wonder if
there is a risk from volcanic hazards in the area, but your always-cheerful real estate agent
assures you that the volcano has not erupted for a long time and poses no risk to the town. You
decide to check things out for yourself, however, and go on the Internet to search for volcanic
hazards associated with Mt. Rainier. The following are questions you (and your professor) want
answered.
1. What type of volcano is Mt. Rainier? (1 pt)
2. What rock composition(s) is(are) associated with this volcano? (1 pt)
3. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program website, when was the last time
the volcano erupted? (1 pt)
4. Based on this map of volcanic hazards in the area
http://www.mapwatch.com/gallery/volcanic-hazard-map.shtml
which volcanic hazard(s) exist in Orting, Washington? How often do events represented
by this hazard occur? (1 pt)

5. Considering that the summit area of Mt. Rainier is covered to a large extent by glacial ice,
would residents of the Orting area be threatened in any way by a small eruption from the
volcano that only sent a few small lava flows down the flanks, none reaching more than 1
km from the summit? If so, why? (1 pt)
6. Is there anything about the geographic terrain in the vicinity of Orting (e.g. topography,
location relative to rivers, etc.) that increases its risk from volcanic hazards? (1 pt)

7. What steps have been taken by the residents of Orting to reduce the risk of volcanic
hazards affecting their town? (1 pt)

Explanation / Answer

Mt Rainier is a strato volcano. Main composition is Andesite and Basalt, Volcanic conglomerates, ash, dust, breccia. The volcano was last erupted in 1894. Lahar or mud flow is the hazard that may occur.

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