Hot Dave Schlom is joined by scientists from the United States Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington for an overview of the iconic cones sheathed in snow and ice and the geologic hazards they represent.
Scientist in Charge Jon Major gives an in-depth look at the Cascades volcanic chain and the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens that wreaked havoc on the landscape there in 1980.
Then, Alexandra Iezzi joins Dave to discuss how the USGS monitors the Cascade volcanoes and how that technology has evolved since the 1980 eruptions.
Holly Racine-Weiss, Outreach specialist for the USGS then shares the story of the largest lahar drill ever conducted for communities surrounding Mt. Rainier. Lahars are rapidly moving mud and debris flows that can be triggered by volcanic eruptions on mountains like the Cascades that are thickly mantled in snow and ice.
