By Gordon Williams 

If you live in the state of Washington--western Washington especially--the question of the day is whether Mount Rainier is trying to send us a message of warning. 

Rainier, as you should know, is the tallest mountain in the continental United States at 14,410 feet. Not only is it a giant among mountains, it is also one of the most perilous--an active volcano capable of powerful eruptions that would dwarf the eruption that shattered Mount Saint Helens in 1984. Rainier is covered with billions of tons of snow and ice. If Rainier were to erupt, a flood caused by melting snow and ice could bury much of western Washington. 

Rainier hasn't erupted since 1895, nor has it had a major blowup in 500 years. Still, it is an active volcano -- so-rated because it has erupted in the past and has the potential to erupt again. And there have been disturbing signs that another eruption could be building up. Rainier has just experienced what is called an earthquake swarm -- a string of quakes that struck Rainier this past July (2025) -- one quake after another, like a box full of squibs going off on the 4th of July. 

In the days after July 8, a record 1,200 earthquakes shook Rainier, though none were major. The largest of them measured only 2.2 on the Richter scale--barely big enough to be noticed by most people or cause severe damage. But each was recorded and measurable, a not-so-subtle reminder of the potential trouble Rainier presents. 

The swarm eased off in late summer, but geologists are paying special attention to the mountain just in case. If you wonder what “just in case” means, consider what happened when neighboring Mount Saint Helens blew. 

The quake caused the peak of the mountain to vanish in a twinkling. Trees by the millions were toppled, and a lahar--a flood of melted snow and ice from the mountain peak--covered the countryside for miles in every direction. The force of the flood was so great it moved rocks the size of automobiles a dozen miles and more. 

That was Mount Saint Helens. Should Rainier blow, the damage would be much worse. Both are towering volcanoes. Both pose the potential for damage on a super scale. But the potential for damage by Rainier is far greater. 

Rainier is bigger than Mount Saint Helens--comprising much more mass. Blast debris from Mount Saint Helens spread 100 miles or more into Seattle. Debris from Rainier could spread into Idaho, Oregon, Montana and maybe into California. 

The real risk from a Rainier blow-up is a lahar that would dwarf the runoff from Mount Saint Helens.

The US Geological Survey notes that Rainier is “the most glaciated peak in the continental United States with 26 glaciers containing five times more ice and snow than all other Cascade volcanoes combined.” 

The obvious question posed by the July earthquake swarm is what happens next--and what you can do about it.

Quakes don’t announce themselves ahead of time, but keep watching the news for word of another swarm. Be particularly wary if there are reports of quakes more destructive than any of those measured in July. Make certain you are plugged in to any agency that offers danger warnings for your area. 

Preparation for disasters in general--wildfire, flood, mudslide-- should help keep you safe if Rainier acts up. Keep a go-bag nearby, filled with the essentials you would need if you had to leave your home and seek safety. Make sure you have at least two routes to escape your home in case the roads are blocked. Keep your car gassed up and in tune so you can respond to any order to evacuate. 

Disasters don’t wait for the “right time” — they can happen in the middle of the night, during your commute or while your kids are at school. But you can take steps to protect your family by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies, and knowing how you’ll stay connected. 

You can also help your community be better prepared for disasters by giving blood, taking a class in lifesaving skills like CPR, or becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more today.