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  • 4 hours ago
Researchers from the US Geological Survey observing Mount Rainier in Washington State, recognized as one of the most hazardous volcanoes in the United States, have identified increased seismic signals and minor land shifts that necessitate closer scrutiny, as stated in a recent monitoring report. Mount Rainier looms over the Seattle-Tacoma area, which houses nearly four million residents, and is designated as a Decade Volcano by the global scientific community due to its location near populous regions. Experts emphasize that while an eruption is not imminent, the observed trends call for ongoing, intensified monitoring. Any eruption involving Rainier's extensive glacial ice could lead to devastating lahars — volcanic mudflows — affecting areas as far as 50 miles from the peak.

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00:00Scientists in Washington state are watching Mount Rainier more closely than ever,
00:04and what they are seeing is raising eyebrows at the United States Geological Survey.
00:09The USGS has recorded elevated seismic activity and subtle ground deformation
00:14at one of America's most dangerous volcanoes.
00:17Now, to be clear, scientists are not saying an eruption is imminent,
00:22but they are saying the patterns require heightened, continuous surveillance.
00:26And here is why this matters so profoundly for American lives.
00:30Mount Rainier sits directly above the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area,
00:34nearly 4 million people.
00:36It is classified as a decade volcano,
00:39specifically because of the catastrophic threat it poses to densely populated land.
00:44An eruption of Rainier's ice-capped summit could unleash lahars,
00:48volcanic mudflows moving faster than a car,
00:51that could reach communities 50 miles from the volcano within hours.
00:55The USGS says this is a situation worth watching very carefully.
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