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Mount Rainier Volcano Facts

Mount Rainier Volcano Facts
Mount Rainier is a volcano located southeast of Seattle, Washington in the United States. It is only 54 miles southeast of Seattle, and is considered to be an active volcano. It last erupted in 1894, and continues to have many high-frequency earthquakes, believed to be the result of the circulation of hot fluids that are circulating inside Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is part of the Cascade Range, which stretches from Northern California to Washington. The Cascade Range is a long stretch (800 miles) of volcanic mountains. Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington, and is believed to be at least 500,000 years old.
Interesting Mount Rainier Volcano Facts:
Prior to being known as Mount Rainier, the volcano was called Tacoma, and was also referred to as Talol, Tahoma, Tacobeh, and Pooskaus by various Native American tribes.
George Vancouver gave the volcano the name Mount Rainier in honor of his friend Rear Admiral Peter Rainier.
Lewis and Clark's map from their 1804-1806 expedition refers to Mount Rainier as Mt. Regniere.
The United States has 128 ultra-prominent mountain peaks. Mount Rainier is considered to be ranked third out of these 128 peaks.
Mount Rainier is considered to be 21st of the world's most prominent mountains.
Mount Rainier sits at 13,211 feet. Geologists believe the mountain was once 16,000 feet but due to mudflows, glaciations and avalanches, its elevation decreased over time.
From Mount Rainier's summit one can see Mount Hood, Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens.
Mount Rainier is believed to have erupted more than 12 times in the last 2,600 years.
The largest eruption of Mount Rainier is believed to have occurred 2,200 years ago.
The highest crater lake in North America is located in Mount Rainier. It is 130 feet long by 30 feet wide and it is 16 feet deep. The lake sits under 100 feet of ice.
Mount Rainier has 26 major glaciers. It also has 35 square miles of permanent snow fields and glaciers. It is the United States' most glaciated mountain.
Mount Rainier's summits include Liberty Cap, Point Success, and Columbia Crest. These summits are popular with climbers.
Although Mount Rainier's volcanic cone is believed to be approximately 500,000 years old, an early ancestral zone exists that is believed to be more than 840,000 years old.
Mount Rainier is located in the Mount Rainier National Park, which is a 235,625 acres in size. The park was created by President William McKinley.
The first documented people to climb Mount Rainier were Hazard Stevens and P.B. Van Trump, who successfully completed the ascent in 1870.
The first female to reach the summit was Fay Fuller, in 1890.
Mount Rainier is popular for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, backcountry skiing, and photography.
Approximately 13,000 people attempt to climb Mount Rainier each year. It takes two to three days to climb to the summit.
Prior to European exploration, Mount Rainier's river valleys, forests and meadows were inhabited by various Native American tribes. These tribes included the Muckleshoots, Puyallups, Yakamas, Cowlitz's, and the Nisqually.


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