Potential Mt. Rainier lahar loss estimated to be high

A new report from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that a volacanic mudflow (known as a "lahar") from Mount Rainier could produce property losses of up to $6 billion to commnities in the Puyallup Valley.

"We now have a much better estimate of the economic impact of a major lahar flowing from Mount Rainier," said Dave Norman, Washington State Geologist and manager of the DNR Geology and Earth Resources Division." It's not a question of it, but when, the next volcanic event will occur."

The DNR report, "Loss Estimation Pilot Project for Lahar Hazards from Moun...