Panoramas: Burroughs Mountain Alpine Tundra

Panoramas: Burroughs Mountain Alpine Tundra
Geography4kids.com
Image Credit: Andrew Rader Studios

One of the many volcanic mountains of the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Rainier was established as a national park in 1899. It is the highest mountain in the Cascade Range at over 14,000 feet in altitude. Surrounding the peak are many permanent glaciers, tundra, and alpine ecosystems. Scientists believe the volcano used to be over one thousand feet higher, but due to a series of explosions, the top was blown off. Surrounding the volcano you will find meadows, old-growth forests, and many lakes and rivers. Don't think you're safe on the volcano. Not only are there risks hiking on moving glaciers, Mt. Rainier is still and episodically active volcano. No one knows when it may erupt again.

Please visit the website for more information.