| Location | Washington, United States |
| Volcano name | Mount Rainier |
| Eruption year | 2022 |
| Current status | Region still recovering over a decade later |
| Eruption impact | Massive debris avalanches • Pyroclastic flows • Lahars • Widespread loss of life • Tens of billions in damage |
| Type of volcano |
On June 15, 2022, Mount Rainier, a heavily glaciated stratovolcano located in the Cascade Range of Washington state, experienced a massive and highly destructive eruption that had far-reaching impacts across the Pacific Northwest region. The event was one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in modern U.S. history, surpassing even the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in scale and intensity.
In the months leading up to the June 2022 eruption, seismic activity and ground deformation around Mount Rainier had been steadily increasing, raising concerns among geologists that a major eruption might be imminent. On the morning of June 15th, those fears were tragically realized when a massive collapse of the mountain's northern flank triggered a series of massive debris avalanches and pyroclastic flows that raced down the slopes at hundreds of miles per hour.
The initial explosions and collapse generated towering ash clouds that reached over 40,000 feet (12,000 m) into the atmosphere, disrupting air travel across the region and depositing layers of fine volcanic ash across much of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and as far east as Montana. Pyroclastic density currents, or "avalanches" of superheated gas and rock, inundated nearby valleys, wiping out everything in their paths.
The eruption also unleashed catastrophic lahars - rapidly flowing mixtures of volcanic material and water - that poured down the mountain's glaciers and river valleys. These lahars, some reaching heights of over 150 feet (45 m), swept away bridges, homes, and entire communities downstream, causing immense destruction and loss of life.
The lahars and associated flooding devastated populated areas along the Puyallup River, the Nisqually River, and other major waterways, with entire towns and suburbs such as Orting, Eatonville, and Ashford being completely submerged or buried. The economic toll was staggering, with damages estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.
In the immediate aftermath, the city of Tacoma and other surrounding communities were left in ruins, blanketed in thick layers of abrasive volcanic ash that crippled infrastructure and paralyzed recovery efforts. Air quality across the region plummeted to hazardous levels, forcing widespread evacuations and prolonged school and business closures.
The environmental impacts were also severe and long-lasting. Lahars and flooding devastated sensitive river ecosystems, wiping out spawning grounds for salmon and other important species. Massive sediment loads in waterways altered stream channels and destroyed critical habitat. Widespread ash fall also damaged or destroyed large swaths of forest and agricultural land.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas have been slow and extremely challenging. Entire communities had to be relocated as it became clear that repopulating areas buried under deep layers of volcanic debris and sediment was simply not feasible. The economic costs, both short-term and long-term, have been immense, with major impacts on industries like forestry, fishing, tourism, and transportation.
Today, over a decade after the 2022 eruption, the scars on the landscape remain visible, and the region is still grappling with the far-reaching consequences of this catastrophic event. Mount Rainier, once a majestic and beloved landmark, now stands as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of the natural forces that shape the Pacific Northwest.
