Events in how Mount Rainier was created
Techtonic Plate Collision
the North American Plate and
Juan de Fuca plate collide
Subduction Occurs
the Juan de Fuca plate subducts under the
North America then pushes up making Mount Rainier
Erruptions
Mount Rainier errupts sending lava and gases
out of its magma chamber
and through the vent
the North American Plate and
Juan de Fuca plate collide
Subduction Occurs
the Juan de Fuca plate subducts under the
North America then pushes up making Mount Rainier
Erruptions
Mount Rainier errupts sending lava and gases
out of its magma chamber
and through the vent
Lava Flow
lava flows down the mountain making
new rock
Hardened Rock
the rock hardens and builds up the
mountain making it taller and bigger
lava flows down the mountain making
new rock
Hardened Rock
the rock hardens and builds up the
mountain making it taller and bigger
Rocks at Mount Rainier
Pumice Rock is igneous rock. It begins as molten rock or magma. As the volcano explodes, the magma becomes to lava. Once the lava has cooled, it forms many small air pockets. These can be broken down and fall back into magma to be made again. The main type of rock is Andesite.
Mount Rainier is currently an active volcano resting between eruptions.
That mean it can erupt and any time, but scientists everywhere are working on ways to predict the next eruption for any given volcano.
Forces
Converging Plates
Compression Stress
Oceanic-Continental Subduction
Composite Volcano
Erosion
Glacial Carving
Reverse Faulting
Water Erosion
Melting Crust
Magma Chambers
Geothermal Activity
Weathering
Lava Flows
Compression Stress
Oceanic-Continental Subduction
Composite Volcano
Erosion
Glacial Carving
Reverse Faulting
Water Erosion
Melting Crust
Magma Chambers
Geothermal Activity
Weathering
Lava Flows
Weathering and Erosion
Weathering is the rain, snow, and temperature that can break off pieces of rock from a mountain or any major landform. When it rains, the water can seep through cracks in the mountain. When nighttime comes, the water will then freeze and expand breaking off pieces of the rock. Erosion is when the wind can carry the sediment down the mountain and spread the sediment and rock across the base of the mountain. Mount Rainier is still growing and mountains that still grow tend to be taller and have a more jagged shape, so even though weathering and erosion still effect Mount Rainier, it is still growing faster than it is wearing down. A good example of a mountain chain that has worn down, is the Appalachian Mountains along the east coast of the United States. They are not as tall as they used to be and they also have a more rounded shape to them.
The Appalachian Mountains
As you can see, these mountains are not nearly as high as Mount Rainier. They also have a more rounded shape to them.