CONCLUSION
Mt. Hood is a composite volcano located in northern Oregon, and is part of the Cascade Mountain Range. Its last eruption was roughly 200 years ago and could erupt again at any time. Because it is a widely visited tourist ski destination as well as having several towns surrounding its base, thousands of people are at risk if an eruption occurs.
Many potential hazards could arise during and after an eruption of Mt. Hood. Lahars, extremely fast moving mudflows, pose a large threat to communities in the river valleys surrounding the mountain. Tephra (ash) falls could leave several centimeters of ash in communities that are near or hundreds of miles away from the volcano. Landslides caused by an eruption pose a threat to the ski resorts on the mountain as well as towns below. Ash falls could cripple communities near and far away from the eruption.
People who live in the areas below Mt. Hood and tourists staying in the lodges on the flanks of the mountain should be evacuated immediately if seismic activity suggests a strong possibility for an eruption to occur. Information should be given to people in the Mt. Hood vicinity on what to do if a volcano occurs with or without warning. Emergency response aid should respond immediately to areas where the damage has taken place.
An eruption of Mt. Hood is a very real threat. If people take the proper precautions when living or traveling near Mt. Hood, they should be safe when an eruption occurs.
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Questions/Comments: peterjef@uwec.edu
Updated: April 25, 2005