Mount Rainier
Predicting volcanic eruptions 43 years after the Mount St. Helens blast
Forty-three years ago today, Mount St. Helens erupted, triggering a magnitude 5 earthquake and spewing ash, mud and debris across southwest Washington. The explosion killed 57 people and changed the mountain’s landscape forever. The eruption wasn’t a total surprise. Months before, a series of small earthquakes and steam-venting alerted scientists that a major blast was […]
‘Pack your patience’: Busy summer season begins for Washington’s parks
The start of the summer outdoor recreation season is here in Washington. With it comes crowded trailheads, filled campgrounds and congested park roads. Land managers are preparing for the rush as state and national parks are still recovering from a visitor boom during the pandemic. And some agencies are beginning to rethink how best to […]