Why Mount Rainier is the US volcano keeping scientists up at night
Mount Rainier in Washington poses a lahar threat to Tacoma and Seattle due to past debris flows. Monitoring systems and evacuation drills aim to prepare for potential lahars impacting nearby communities.
Read original article
Mount Rainier in Washington state, despite not erupting significantly in the last 1,000 years, concerns US volcanologists due to the threat it poses to surrounding communities like Tacoma and Seattle. The main worry is not lava flows but lahars, fast-moving debris flows caused by melted ice and snow during eruptions. These lahars could impact densely populated areas within a short timeframe, similar to the devastating 1985 lahar in Colombia. Mount Rainier's potential lahar scenarios have been modeled, indicating risks to areas like Orting and the Nisqually River Valley. To prepare for such events, a lahar detection system has been set up on Mount Rainier, including real-time data transmission and various sensors. Evacuation drills involving thousands of students have also been conducted to practice responses to potential lahars. The volcano's history of lahars and the ongoing monitoring efforts highlight the importance of preparedness for such natural hazards.
Related
How extreme heat affects human health: A research roundup (2023)
Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. President Biden issued a Hazard Alert to protect workers. Mitigation strategies include reducing emissions and enhancing community support during heat waves.
AI is exhausting the power grid
Tech firms, including Microsoft, face a power crisis due to AI's energy demands straining the grid and increasing emissions. Fusion power exploration aims to combat fossil fuel reliance, but current operations heavily impact the environment.
The World Will Soon Witness "One of the Rarest Space Events of Our Lives"
An asteroid named 99942 Apophis will pass close to Earth in 2029, posing no threat for the next century. NASA and ESA plan missions to study the 375-meter asteroid during this rare event.
US Forest Service proposes protections for old-growth trees, without logging ban
The US Forest Service proposes protecting old-growth trees in national forests, allowing public input but not enforcing a logging ban. Concerns arise over loopholes and lack of specific guidelines. President Biden's order aims to restrict logging, with ongoing updates planned.
Microsoft shelves its underwater data center
Microsoft has ended its underwater data center experiment, noting improved server longevity underwater. Despite success, Microsoft shifts focus to other projects like AI supercomputers and nuclear ambitions, discontinuing further underwater endeavors.
3 commentsIs it possible that other nearby eruptions (St Helens) are releasing the pressure that would otherwise cause an eruption at Rainier?
Not sure what I would do. Wrap my car with metal, and hope for the best?
Related
How extreme heat affects human health: A research roundup (2023)
Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. President Biden issued a Hazard Alert to protect workers. Mitigation strategies include reducing emissions and enhancing community support during heat waves.
AI is exhausting the power grid
Tech firms, including Microsoft, face a power crisis due to AI's energy demands straining the grid and increasing emissions. Fusion power exploration aims to combat fossil fuel reliance, but current operations heavily impact the environment.
The World Will Soon Witness "One of the Rarest Space Events of Our Lives"
An asteroid named 99942 Apophis will pass close to Earth in 2029, posing no threat for the next century. NASA and ESA plan missions to study the 375-meter asteroid during this rare event.
US Forest Service proposes protections for old-growth trees, without logging ban
The US Forest Service proposes protecting old-growth trees in national forests, allowing public input but not enforcing a logging ban. Concerns arise over loopholes and lack of specific guidelines. President Biden's order aims to restrict logging, with ongoing updates planned.
Microsoft shelves its underwater data center
Microsoft has ended its underwater data center experiment, noting improved server longevity underwater. Despite success, Microsoft shifts focus to other projects like AI supercomputers and nuclear ambitions, discontinuing further underwater endeavors.