Geology Web page

I've put up the initial Geology Web page. It's not a comprehensive Web page, there's far too much information to do that in a page or two. Nor is it an overview of the geology of Mt. Rainier, there's too many available on-line and in books. It's more just information I find interesting and usually not mentioned in the overviews and detalied to death in the scientific studies and reports.

The Web page is more to give you an idea of the complexity and dynamics of Mt. Rainier. It's the result of the history of mountain range (batholith) building, volcanism (plate tectonics), continental and mountain glaciation (Puget Sound glaciation stages), and mass wasting events (landslides, debris and mudflows and lahars). And its story isn't often what people think about volcanoes and mountains.

In addition, I've listed some geology books and reports, see bibliography and some Websites, see bottom of geology Web page, if you want to learn more. Some of the link to on-line material goes back to the first geologic explorations of Mt. Rainier in the 1890's, which includes a short trip to and overnight stay in the summit crater. And that's without all the technology of modern outdoor clothes and climbing tools.

Mt. Rainier is not a static volcano as many visitors think. Things happen every minute, mostly small, and out of sight and mind of people, but a few become news, such as rockslides on climbing routes, glacial outburt floods, and debris/mud flows down creek(s) into the rivers draining Mt. Rainier. So while climbers know the hazards and risks, most hikers and visitors don't. It's rare anything will happen but it doesn't hurt to stay alert.

Anyway, that's it for the initial version which will be updated occasionally.