Rumor of Mount Rainier's eruption has been debunked by scientists

SEATTLE – Scientists with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) are disputing a viral online report falsely claiming that Mount Rainier is showing signs of increased seismic activity.

What they say:

“There is currently no unusual seismic activity at Mount Rainier,” PNSN said in a statement this week. “The indicated signal is actually radio interference, most likely due to ice accumulation on the antenna of one of our seismic stations.”

Mount Rainier, from Carleon Beach, south of Puget Sound, Washington. (Marlie Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

This misleading claim stemmed from a Daily Mail story that was widely circulated on social media, suggesting that “America’s deadliest volcano” had entered an “earthquake phase” possibly indicating an eruption. The story cited a seismic graph that appears to show strong, persistent shaking, and data scientists say this is not from the ground, but from the station's old radio equipment.

What scientists say the data really shows

(Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN))

What we know:

According to PNSN, the apparent tremor is coming from the STAR station (EHZ UW 01), located just west of the summit of Mount Rainier. STAR is one of the last remaining analog stations on the volcano, transmitting data via a low-power radio link that can fail during storms.

“When a radio receiver loses a signal, like the static you might hear on your car radio when the signal fades, the seismic signal becomes just loud noise,” the statement explained.

In short, an “earthquake” is electronic noise, not a geological event.

For comparison, PNSN provided another seismogram from the RCS station, located about 2.5 miles to the northeast. That nearby digital station showed natural, low-level background activity: short rises due to wind shaking, small ice slides, and small falls of rock or ice — all typical of a high-altitude glacier environment.

(Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN))

If there was a real tremor or seismic activity beneath the volcano, experts say it would appear simultaneously across multiple stations around Mount Rainier, not just one station. “Any unusual seismic activity (large earthquakes or volcanic tremor) will appear at these two stations – and many others – and will be detected and reported within a short period of time,” PNSN said.

The weather, not the volcano, is to blame

Dig deeper:

Recent stormy weather on Mount Rainier likely caused the interference, PNSN said.

When ice forms on the antenna of analog equipment, it can block or distort the radio signal transmitting seismic data, producing a noisy effect similar to constant vibration.

Meteorologists also reported heavy snow and freezing fog falling around the summit area at the same time, consistent with conditions that could cause such interference.

Scientists urge caution about misinterpreting data

Local perspective:

Seismologists stressed that such misinterpretations could raise unnecessary alarm.

“Dirty journalism by non-scientists who don't understand seismology and don't review those who do can create confusion in the public,” PNSN said.

The organization reminded the public that any real volcanic unrest would be immediately detected and reported through official channels – as happened in July when a small earthquake swarm was quickly analyzed and interpreted.

For now, Mount Rainier remains calm and stable.

How to check seismic information

What you can do:

PNSN encourages anyone interested in real-time monitoring to view verified live data directly from its network at pnsn.org. The network operates dozens of devices on and around Rainier, constantly tracking earthquakes, volcanic tremors and other ground motions across the Pacific Northwest.

For now, scientists say there's no cause for concern, just another reminder that weather, not magma, is to blame for this week's viral noise.

Source: Information in this story came from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN).

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