Tension is rising across parts of the Pacific Northwest as Mount Rainier, the towering 11,000-foot stratovolcano just southeast of Seattle, begins to show alarming signs of activity. Home to more than 300,000 residents in surrounding communities, this iconic mountain—often snow-capped and serene—now has scientists and emergency officials on high alert.

In recent weeks, a sharp increase in seismic activity, ground deformation, and steam venting near the summit has signaled a potential eruption may be approaching. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), over 100 small earthquakes have been recorded near the mountain’s summit in the past 10 days alone—more than ten times the average rate.

“This is not something we take lightly,” said Dr. Hannah Kepler, a volcanologist with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. “While we can’t predict the exact timing of an eruption, the indicators we’re seeing—especially the rise in shallow quakes and gas emissions—suggest magma is moving beneath the surface. That movement is consistent with pre-eruption behavior observed in other volcanoes.”

Mount Rainier, standing at 14,410 feet (not 11,000 feet as commonly misstated), is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the United States—not just because of its size, but because of the sheer number of people living in its path. Its slopes are covered in glaciers, and an eruption could trigger catastrophic lahars—fast-moving mudflows that can race down valleys and wipe out entire towns within minutes.

In response to the growing threat, Washington state officials have activated emergency preparedness plans. Local governments are coordinating with FEMA, issuing evacuation maps, testing siren systems, and advising residents to prepare emergency kits.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and never thought this would happen in my time,” said Jessica Moreno, a resident of Puyallup, a town situated directly in one of Rainier’s lahar paths. “Now we’re watching the news every hour and sleeping with our phones next to us in case we need to evacuate.”

The last known eruption of Mount Rainier occurred around 1,000 years ago, but it has had smaller explosive events and lava flows more recently in geological terms. The mountain is classified as “active,” and the recent unrest has elevated the volcano’s alert level from “normal” to “advisory.”

What makes Rainier particularly threatening is the dense population in the region. Unlike more isolated volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens, whose 1980 eruption devastated a large but relatively unpopulated area, Rainier’s lahars could impact suburban communities within 30 to 60 minutes of an eruption.

Scientists and emergency planners emphasize that this is not a cause for panic, but for preparation. “We’re not saying an eruption is guaranteed,” said Dr. Kepler. “But the volcano is talking. And when it talks, we have to listen.”

Air quality around the volcano has also begun to decline due to sulfur dioxide emissions, and satellite images have shown minor swelling of the volcano’s flanks—further evidence that magma is accumulating beneath the surface.

Social media is awash with real-time videos of steam rising from the mountain, drone footage of rumbling landslides, and concerned locals documenting the unusual seismic activity. Hashtags like #MountRainier, #RainierRumbles, and #VolcanoWatch2025 are trending nationwide.

While many are bracing for the worst, some are also finding strength in community preparedness. “We’ve got our go-bags packed, routes planned, and neighbors checking in on each other,” said Moreno. “We’re hoping for the best, but we’re ready.”

With the eyes of the nation watching, one thing is clear: Mount Rainier may look peaceful from afar, but beneath its snow-covered summit, something powerful is stirring.