Mount Baker is an active volcano. Its most recent activity was in the mid-1800's at a time when permanent populations around its base were few and infrastructures, such as roads, powerlines and other structures, were virtually non-existent. Although most of the area adjacent to Mount Baker is still largely unpopulated (much of the mountain is in the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest), population patterns and infrastructure are much different than 150 years ago, and each year greater and greater numbers of people live and play in areas that could be affected by future volcanic activity. This report discusses the types of volcanic events that are likely to affect the region. -- Gardner, et.al., 1995 |