Glacier Peak | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/glacier-peak
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Glacier Peak | U.S. Geological Survey
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Glacier Peak
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Glacier Peak
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Glacier Peak is the most remote of the five active volcanoes in Washington State, and more than a dozen glaciers descend its flanks, prompting its name.
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, Snohomish County
Latitude:
48.112° N
Longitude:
121.113° W
Elevation:
3,213 (m) 10,541 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1,100 years ago
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
View Media Details
Glacier Peak volcano viewed from the west, Washington.
The peak wasn't known by settlers to be a volcano until the 1850's, when Native Americans mentioned to naturalist George Gibbs that "another smaller peak to the north of Mount Rainier once smoked." Glacier Peak is not prominently visible from any major population center, and so its attractions, as well as its hazards, tend to be overlooked. Yet since the end of the most recent ice age, this volcano has produced some of the largest and most explosive eruptions in the conterminous United States. Within this time period, it has erupted multiple times during at least six separate episodes. Glacier Peak and Mount St. Helens are the only volcanoes in Washington State that have generated very large explosive eruptions in the past 15,000 years.
Status of (mostly) Washington's Volcanoes: Report to Emergency Managers 2020-2021
June 2, 2021
Status of (mostly) Washington's Volcanoes: Report to Emergency Managers 2020-2021
Which U.S. volcanoes pose a threat?
December 19, 2018
Which U.S. volcanoes pose a threat?
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
November 13, 2023
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
Glacier Peak (3214 m, 10544 ft) is a stratovolcano composed mainly of dacite, which is located about 100 km (65 mi) northeast of Seattle and 110 km (70 mi) south of the International Boundary with Canada. It lies in the rugged and scenic Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and rises only a few thousand feet above neighboring peaks that reach 2,700 m.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
November 13, 2023
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
Glacier Peak (3214 m, 10544 ft) is a stratovolcano composed mainly of dacite, which is located about 100 km (65 mi) northeast of Seattle and 110 km (70 mi) south of the International Boundary with Canada. It lies in the rugged and scenic Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and rises only a few thousand feet above neighboring peaks that reach 2,700 m.
Learn More
November 12, 2023
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
Timeline and information about past eruptions at Glacier Peak.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
November 12, 2023
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
Timeline and information about past eruptions at Glacier Peak.
Learn More
November 11, 2023
Summit of Glacier Peak
The uppermost 800 m (2,600 ft) of Glacier Peak can be subdivided into three parts, two false summits and the actual summit
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Summit of Glacier Peak
November 11, 2023
Summit of Glacier Peak
The uppermost 800 m (2,600 ft) of Glacier Peak can be subdivided into three parts, two false summits and the actual summit
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, Snohomish County
Latitude:
48.112° N
Longitude:
121.113° W
Elevation:
3,213 (m) 10,541 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1,100 years ago
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Glacier Peak
Find U.S. Volcano
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
Results
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Settings
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
x
Map Legend
x
Map Legend
Results
Glacier Peak
Home
Science
Multimedia
Publications
News
Connect
Glacier Peak is the most remote of the five active volcanoes in Washington State, and more than a dozen glaciers descend its flanks, prompting its name.
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, Snohomish County
Latitude:
48.112° N
Longitude:
121.113° W
Elevation:
3,213 (m) 10,541 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1,100 years ago
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
View Media Details
Glacier Peak volcano viewed from the west, Washington.
The peak wasn't known by settlers to be a volcano until the 1850's, when Native Americans mentioned to naturalist George Gibbs that "another smaller peak to the north of Mount Rainier once smoked." Glacier Peak is not prominently visible from any major population center, and so its attractions, as well as its hazards, tend to be overlooked. Yet since the end of the most recent ice age, this volcano has produced some of the largest and most explosive eruptions in the conterminous United States. Within this time period, it has erupted multiple times during at least six separate episodes. Glacier Peak and Mount St. Helens are the only volcanoes in Washington State that have generated very large explosive eruptions in the past 15,000 years.
Status of (mostly) Washington's Volcanoes: Report to Emergency Managers 2020-2021
June 2, 2021
Status of (mostly) Washington's Volcanoes: Report to Emergency Managers 2020-2021
Which U.S. volcanoes pose a threat?
December 19, 2018
Which U.S. volcanoes pose a threat?
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
November 13, 2023
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
Glacier Peak (3214 m, 10544 ft) is a stratovolcano composed mainly of dacite, which is located about 100 km (65 mi) northeast of Seattle and 110 km (70 mi) south of the International Boundary with Canada. It lies in the rugged and scenic Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and rises only a few thousand feet above neighboring peaks that reach 2,700 m.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
November 13, 2023
Geology and History of Glacier Peak
Glacier Peak (3214 m, 10544 ft) is a stratovolcano composed mainly of dacite, which is located about 100 km (65 mi) northeast of Seattle and 110 km (70 mi) south of the International Boundary with Canada. It lies in the rugged and scenic Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and rises only a few thousand feet above neighboring peaks that reach 2,700 m.
Learn More
November 12, 2023
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
Timeline and information about past eruptions at Glacier Peak.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
November 12, 2023
Eruption History of Glacier Peak
Timeline and information about past eruptions at Glacier Peak.
Learn More
November 11, 2023
Summit of Glacier Peak
The uppermost 800 m (2,600 ft) of Glacier Peak can be subdivided into three parts, two false summits and the actual summit
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Glacier Peak
Summit of Glacier Peak
November 11, 2023
Summit of Glacier Peak
The uppermost 800 m (2,600 ft) of Glacier Peak can be subdivided into three parts, two false summits and the actual summit
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, Snohomish County
Latitude:
48.112° N
Longitude:
121.113° W
Elevation:
3,213 (m) 10,541 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1,100 years ago
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?