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Geological Features Tour

Geological Features Tour
We are about to embark on a tour of geological features throughout the United States. On our journey we will start off in Ashford Washington at Mount Rainier. It is rumored to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains. From Ashford, Washington we will travel to South Dakota where we find the Black Hills. In the Black Hills of South Dakota we will explore the ground water features and look at many wonders the ground water provides to the areas wildlife. Last of all we will travel down the United States close to Mexico to an Island called Padre Island.
Our first destination stop on the geological features tour is Mount Rainier in Washington, United States. The volcano is located south of Seattle in Ashford and is a part of the Cascades volcano range. Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams are also a part of this volcano range. The last known record of eruption for Mt. Rainier is in the 1820 – 1940’s (United States Geological Survey and Sisson. 1995). Out of the volcanoes on the Cascade Range, Mt. Rainier looks to be the bigger problem if there is a future eruption. The reason it is a bigger problem is due to the population close to this volcano. Mudslides and other problems make it dangerous as well. Glaciers and avalanches are potential problems as well. Glaciers cut big holes in the volcano that make it weak where lava flow is under the surface.
There are many that think this volcano could erupt in the coming years. Mt. Rainier is an active volcano and as such, the terrain and landscape is ever changing. Mudslides and glaciers are not uncommon to be aware of when visiting. In order to visit at this volcano, it is wise to be aware of the possibilities of dangers associated with this changing area. The locals have in place an evacuation plan but it only allows a 40 minute time frame from volcanic mudflow and the arrival (Sisson. 1995).With 150,000 people to evacuate, this is what makes Mount...

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