Mount Baker: The Sleeping Giant of the Cascades

Mount BakerPhoto byLisa Faust Photographer/Public Domain

Mount Baker, located in Whatcom County, Washington state, is an active stratovolcano that is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc. While it is considered active, the chances of an imminent eruption are generally low. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitors Mount Baker and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range for signs of increased volcanic activity.

Dominating the skyline, Mount Baker is an ideal playground for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Hikers enjoy hiking the rugged terrain and many enjoy spending time in and around the volcano. Between 1840 and 1880, hydro-thermal explosions and collapses rocked the mountain. There were some lahars and closures on the south and the easts flanks that reminded the local population that they do indeed live near a volcano.

On a cold clear day, you can see the steam plumes rising from the Sherman crater. At some point in the future, Mount Baker is going to awaken and erupt again disrupting the landscape and the lives of those who live near and around the volcano.

After Mount St. Helen’s, Mount Baker has the second most thermally active crater in the North Cascade Range. Located approximately 30 miles east of Bellingham, Mount Baker is the third highest mountain in the State of Washington and the northern most volcano in the conterminous United States. It is also the fifth highest mountain in the Cascade Range.

The USGS uses a color coded system to alert and communicate the status of volcanoes. At present, Mount Baker is at the “Green level” this indicates normal activity. It’s important to remember that Mount Baker, like all active volcanoes, will erupt at some point in time in the future. However, the timing and exact date and nature of such an event are difficult at best to predict. Overall, Mount Baker is an active volcano with a low risk for an eruption in the near future. However, it’s important to continue monitoring the volcano to detect any potential risk of eruption.

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