Geologic Publications for Mount Rainier

History of landslides and debris flows at Mount Rainier

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Author(s): Kevin M. Scott, James W. Vallance

Category: PUBLICATION
Document Type: Open-File Report 93-111
Publisher: United States Geological Survey
Published Year: 1994
Volume:
Number:
Pages: 2
DOI Identifier:
ISBN Identifier:
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Abstract:
Many landslides and debris flows have originated from Mount Rainier since the retreat of glaciers from Puget Sound about 10,000 years ago. The recurrent instability is due to several factors--height of the steep-sided volcanic cone, frequent volcanic activity, continuous weakening of rock by steam and hot, chemical-laden water, and exposure of unstable areas as the mountains glaciers have receded. The landslide scars and deposits tell a fascinating story of the changing shape of the volcano. Landslides occur when part of the volcano "collapses" or fails and slides away from the rest of the volcano. The failed mass rapidly breaks up into a jumble of disaggregated pieces that flow at high velocity like a fluid. Clay and water in the debris cause further change to a liquid slurry known as a debris flow or mudflow. Volcanic debris flows are also widely known by the Indonesian term "lahar." Although the largest debris flows at Rainier form from landslides, many smaller flows are caused by volcanic eruptions, intense rainfall, and glacial-outburst floods.

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Suggested Citations:
In Text Citation:
Scott and Vallance (1994) or (Scott and Vallance, 1994)

References Citation:
Scott, K.M. and J.W. Vallance, 1994, History of landslides and debris flows at Mount Rainier: Open-File Report 93-111, United States Geological Survey, 2 p..