In addition to locating regional earthquakes, the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network (PNSN), in cooperation with the Cascades Volcano Observatory, is also responsible for monitoring seismic activity at volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest. The PNSN currently operates seismometers on or near Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Three Sisters, and Crater Lake.

Seismicity at Mount Rainier currently is at background levels, with 1 well-located earthquake (quality BB or better) occurring in the month of May, with a magnitude of 0.8. In an average month, 1-5 well-located, high-frequency earthquakes are recorded. In addition, small swarms of 5-10 earthquakes over a 2-3-day time period occasionally occur. All of these earthquakes are shallow, with most locating near sea level (~4 km below the summit), and are interpreted by Moran (1997) to be occurring in response to stresses associated with the circulation of hot fluids beneath Mount Rainier. These fluids are thought to be the source for the hot springs and steam vents found at the summit and at various points within Mount Rainier National Park (e.g. Frank, 1995).

CURRENT MOUNT RAINIER SEISMICITY:

• Latest Earthquakes at Mount Rainier
• Time vs. Depth plot of Rainier earthquakes for the last year.
• Map and Cross-section of Rainier earthquakes for the last year.
• Map of PNSN seismograph stations on and near Mount Rainier

1981-1996 MOUNT RAINIER SEISMICITY:

• Time vs. Depth plot for 1996 eqs.
• Time vs. Depth plot for 1989-1996 eqs.
• Focal Mechanisms for 1989-1996 eqs.
• Cross-sections of St. Helens and Rainier seismicity, 1981-1996.
• Mount Rainier: Decade Volcano Info about regional seismicity and tectonics near Mount Rainier.

OTHER MOUNT RAINIER-RELATED LINKS:

• Seismic Detection of Rockfalls at Mount Rainier and elsewhere.
• Glacier-generated Debris Flows at Mount Rainier.
• Cascade Volcano Observatory Mount Rainier Page
• USGS Mount Rainier Volcano Hazards Fact Sheet.
• Mount Rainier National Park Homepage
• 08/20/97 UW Press Release about earthquakes near Rainier.
• Custom search the PNSN earthquake catalog (use 46.78-46.93 & 121.65-121.85 as lat/lon coordinates).
• View a seismogram in real-time (needs an X-windows server at your end)

Mount Rainier References (Seismicity Related):

Frank, D., Surficial extent and conceptual model of hydrothermal system at Mount Rainier, Washington, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 65, p. 51-80, 1995.

Malone, S. D., A. Qamar, and C. Jonientz-Trisler, Recent seismicity at Mount Rainier, Washington (abstract), Seismological Society of America with Progams, v. 62, p. 25, 1991.

Moran, S. C., Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure in the Greater Mount Rainier Area, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, 170 pp., 1997.

National Research Council, Mount Rainier: Active Cascade volcano, National Academy Press, 114 pp., 1994.

Norris, R. D., Seismicity of rockfalls and avalanches at three Cascade Range volcanoes: Implications for seismic detection of hazardous mass movements, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 84, p. 1925-1939, 1994.

Swanson, D. A., S. D. Malone, and B. A. Samora, Mount Rainier: A Decade Volcano, EOS Trans. AGU, v. 73, pp. 177, 185-186, 1992.

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