“One “glacial outburst” of churning meltwater and boulders damaged the Westside Road on Thursday [August 13]and terrifying two hikers, who at first mistook the sound for that of a train.

This year’s dry, hot conditions are likely to blame for a series of ‘glacial outbursts’ on Mount Rainier that sent blasts of muddy water, rock and boulders barreling down the volcano’s western flank beginning Thursday morning, says the geologist for the national park.

The powerful surges gouged out channels, swept away trees and shook the ground hard enough to register on seismometers, said Scott Beason,” quoting Sandi Doughton, Seattle Times.
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