Usabilty Evaluation - Are you ready for an Eruption?

MOUNT BAKER AND GLACIER PEAK | ACTIVE VOLCANOES

ERUPTION
CLOUD

Are You Ready for An Eruption?

HOT
ROCKS
ASH
FALL

L AVA FLOW

MOUNT BAKER PHOTO BY DAVE TUCKER; GLACIER PEAK PHOTO BY JOHN SCURLOCK

GLACIER PEAK

The most recent eruption occurred
in 1843. A reheating in 1975 reminded
local people of the volcano’s potential to
erupt again. On cold clear days that follow
damp weather, condensation of water
vapor causes a steam plume.

A massive eruption 13,000 years ago
was ten-times larger than the 1980
eruption of Mount St. Helens. Ash from
this eruption has been found in peat
bogs of Ireland.

Ready,

Get to know
the eruption hazards:

LIVE SAFELY

Lahars (volcanic mudflows), caused by melting of snow
and ice, can flow for tens of miles down valleys.
Ash fall, even during small eruptions, can disrupt air and
ground transportation and dust our forests, farms, and towns
with gritty rock fragments.

DURING AN ERUPTION, EXPECT:
Mount Baker u Lahars and some ash fall.
Glacier Peak u Lahars and the possibility of substantial ash fall.
USGS monitoring networks can provide warning. Future eruptions
will be preceded by days or more of increased earthquakes and,
possibly, by measurable swelling of the volcano and
increased emission of volcanic gases.

North

Mount Baker dominates the skyline of northwestern
Washington and southwestern British Columbia. Glacier Peak
is mostly hidden from view. Both volcanoes have erupted in
recent centuries and will erupt again, disrupting the landscape
and the lives of people downstream and
downwind.

• Look at the map. Assess
the hazards where you live,
work, and commute.
• Make a plan. Identify
evacuation routes and shelter
above valley floors.
• Assemble emergency
supplies and a plan
to reunite.
• Share your plans with
family, neighbors, and
friends.

Set,

STAY INFORMED:
LISTEN TO OFFICIAL
SOURCES

• Emergency Alerts/
Broadcasts.
• All Hazards
NOAA Weather Radio.
• U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) Volcano
Notification Service.
q For lahars, quickly go
to high ground above
the valley floor.

PUGET
SOU N D

Go!

WHEN A LAHAR
WARNING IS
ISSUED, MOVE OFF
VALLEY FLOORS
THAT COULD BE
AT RISK

EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
DIVISION

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Flanks of volcano are
subject to all hazards.

0
0

• Evacuate by vehicle
or on foot to high ground
50 feet or more above
valley floors.
• If you are safe
from lahars and
ash is falling,
seek shelter in
a building or
vehicle.

WASHINGTON
MILITARY
DEPARTMENT

HIGHER
RISK

Lahars (volcanic mudflows)
travel down valleys from
the volcano and can reach
closest populated areas
within one hour.

There are 5 active volcanoes in Washington State. Be prepared.
Get more information and learn about volcano hazards that might affect your family.

mil.wa.gov
volcanoes.usgs.gov
dnr.wa.gov

HAZARD ZONES
LOWER
RISK

Get More Information
snohomishcountywa.gov/2894/Volcano-Preparedness
skagitcounty.net/Volcano
whatcomcounty.us/2030/Volcano

LANDSLIDE

LAHAR
(VOLCANIC MUDFLOW)

ICE-COVERED VOLCANOES
ARE HAZARDOUS DURING ERUPTIONS

MOUNT BAKER

PYROCLASTIC
FLOW

While an eruption or lahar
might not happen in our lifetime,
being prepared is our
best defense.

MOUNT BAKER AND GLACIER PEAK
COMBINED HAZARD MAP. SIMPLIFIED FROM
USGS OPEN-FILE REPORT 95-499 (GLACIER PEAK);
AND USGS OPEN-FILE REPORT 95-498
(MOUNT BAKER)

10 Miles
10 Km