Media Advisory: Exclusive Interview Opportunities with Interior Officials to Learn about New Mt. Rainier Lahar Detection Stations
TACOMA, Wash. — What is a lahar and why are they a threat to those who live below Mount Rainier? Journalists are invited to learn about the threat potential posed by lahars from Mount Rainier to local communities and how new USGS lahar monitoring stations will integrate into emergency preparedness and response.
The lahar detection system expansion at Mount Rainier National Park will add to the existing volcano monitoring system inside the park as part of a broader effort to implement an expanded lahar detection system. The USGS currently monitors Mount Rainier volcanic activity in partnership with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network at 13 seismic and six Global Positioning System installations located within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of the summit. The installation of five new stations in the park are part of a larger effort by the USGS to upgrade and expand the lahar capabilities with an additional 12 sites that are currently being evaluated for installation next year.
What: Reporters will have an opportunity to interview Deputy Secretary of the Interior Katharine MacGregor, U.S. Geological Survey Director Jim Reilly, and Counselor to the Secretary Margaret Everson, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director of the National Park Service, during their visit to Mount Rainier.
Where: Phone Interview - Interview times will be 10 minutes long and call-in information will be provided in response to RSVP.
When: Monday, Oct. 19, 2020
First time slot: 6:30-7:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Second time slot: 1-2 p.m. Pacific Time
RSVP: Please RSVP, by 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Friday, Oct. 16, to Ryan McClymont at rmcclymont@usgs.gov if you would like to participate.
A distant view of Mount Rainier volcano over Puyallup Valley, near Orting, Washington.
(Public domain.)