Mt Ranier, Gig Harbor?

Question

So I live in Gig Harbor. It is close to the volcano Mt. Ranier. If Ranier were to erupt, would Gig Harbor be affected by the eruption. If so, then to what degree. Also does anyone know the next predicted date of its eruption. Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on the severity of the eruption, how close you are, and if you are down-wind from there.  There really is no way to predict an eruption or the severity of it until pretty much the last stages if any warning at all.  I would not worry too much because USGS is monitoring that mountain closely.  I am not too sure about your exact distance from the mountain but if you say that you are close, my guess would be that you may have to be careful of heavy ash fall and lahars (volcanic flash flood- debris and melted ice takes out everything in its path)

I do not think that you would be close enough to worry about lava flow.  This would be an excellent question to ask your teacher especially an (earth) science teacher.