scholarly journals Debris-flow hazards caused by hydrologic events at Mount Rainier, Washington

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Vallance ◽  
Michelle L. Cunico ◽  
Steve P. Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Mount Rainier

Debris flow initiation in proglacial gullies on Mount Rainier, Washington

Geomorphology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 226 ◽  
pp. 249-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas T. Legg ◽  
Andrew J. Meigs ◽  
Gordon E. Grant ◽  
Paul Kennard
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Mount Rainier ◽  
Debris Flow Initiation

Forecasting and Seismic Detection of Proglacial Debris Flows at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-72
Author(s):  
Scott R. Beason ◽  
Nicholas T. Legg ◽  
Taylor R. Kenyon ◽  
Robert P. Jost
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
National Park ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Outburst Floods ◽  
Mount Rainier ◽  
Mount Rainier National Park ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
Flow Activity

ABSTRACT The glaciated Mount Rainier volcano in southwestern Washington State (United States) has a rich history of outburst floods and debris flows that have adversely impacted infrastructure at Mount Rainier National Park in the 20th and 21st centuries. Retreating glaciers leave behind vast amounts of unconsolidated till that is easily mobilized during high-precipitation-intensity storms in the fall months, and during outburst floods during warm summer months. Over 60 debris flows and outburst floods have been documented between 1926 and 2019 at Mount Rainier. Debris-flow activity has led to the closure of campgrounds and visitor destinations, which has limited visitor access to large swaths of the park. This paper documents efforts to characterize and seismically monitor debris flows, map hazards, and develop forecasting approaches for wet and dry weather debris flows. Using the day-of and historic antecedent weather conditions on past debris-flow days, we developed a debris-flow hazard model to help predict those days with a higher relative hazard for debris-flow activity park-wide based on prevailing and forecasted weather conditions. Debris flows are detected in near-real-time using the U.S. Geological Survey Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM) tool. If an event is detected, we can then provide evacuation alerts to employees and visitors working and recreating in the areas downstream. Our goal is to accurately forecast the debris-flow hazards up to 7 days ahead of time and then use RSAM to detect debris flows within minutes of their genesis.

Two Deaths in Two Days: A Case Report of Mountaineering Fatalities on Mount Rainier

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis W. Heggie ◽  
Jacob D. Jorgenson
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Mount Rainier
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document