The majestic Cascade Mountains serve as the centerpiece for the
Northwest's renowned beauty, with their rugged, snow-capped peaks
drawing thousands of visitors to their flanks each summer. Several of
the region's national parks are centered on these mountains, including
North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Crater
Lake National Park. Underlying their elegance, however, is the
disquieting fact that the range's major peaks are potentially hazardous
volcanoes. On average, two eruptions occur per century. In the last
century, explosive eruptions at Lassen Peak and Mount St. Helens left
onlookers in awe. This easy-to-understand book provides residents and
visitors with a good understanding of each peak's distinctive nature and
how the volcanoes are linked by their geologic underpinnings. Accessible
prose by award-winning science writer Richard L. Hill, paired with clear
illustrations and photographs, show each peak's individual
characteristics, as well as the plate processes at work beneath them.