Mountains are wondrous things. They dominate the landscape where they exist. Geologically they are formed from an uplift, either from tectonic plates colliding or an up-welling from beneath the Earth as in a volcano. Usually they are not alone, although some volcanoes may be. More often they are found in ranges. The Mountains of the USA are varied and prominent especially in the Western part of America where the younger and taller Rockies exist and in the East where the ancient Appalachians are slowly being worn down by erosion.
Many of the most important mountains of the USA which are found in the Pacific Northwest are volcanoes. Part of the “rim of fire,” these examples of vulcanism (as well as the accompanying frequent earthquakes) are associated with tectonic plate boundaries.
Mt Rainier, Washington — Looming protectively and threateningly over the city of Seattle, Mount Rainier is considered an active volcano.
Mount Rainier
Mount Hood, Oregon — Another impressive snow-capped volcano can be found in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon. Mount Hood is also considered potentially active. Its last known eruption occurred about 200 years ago.
Mount Hood and Portland
Mount St Helens, Washington — The most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest is Mount St Helens. It erupted explosively on May 18, 1980 in a cataclysmic event observed carefully by scientists. Since its eruption, the area has been extensively studied to document the stages in landscape and ecosystem recovery.
Mount St Helens
Lassen Peak, California — The centerpiece of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen Peak is the only other US volcano (besides Mount St Helens, above) to have erupted in the 20th Century. Lassen’s last eruption was in 1917, not that long ago geologically.
Lassen Peak
Mt McKinley, Alaska — The tallest mountain in North America, at 20,320 feet, McKinley, or Denali as the Native Americans of the regions know it, is the centerpiece of a vast national park. It is almost always cloud-covered (it actually creates its own weather) and certainly dominates the landscape in this region of Alaska.
Denali Uncovered
