Earlier this week, people in the greater Seattle metro area saw what appeared to be venting on Mount Rainier. Area residents immediately thought, “really, we’re so close to the baseball postseason?” No worries. A new vent has NOT opened on the volcano. 🏔 The Mount Rainier seismic network jointly operated by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network showed no indications of unrest. By coincidence, there were USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory field teams at Mount Rainier this week to install a new volcano monitoring station. They also confirmed no new activity.   The “venting appearance” was most likely a lenticular cloud. These type of clouds are often formed when moist air is pushed up and over the top of a mountain, forming a disc shaped cloud and likely related to a passing weather front.  As September is #NationalPreparednessMonth, this is a good opportunity to think about how you can prepare for the next event, volcanic or otherwise. usgs...