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 Researchers from the United States and Norway used seismic imaging
and the measurement of variations in electrical and magnetic fields
to create a detailed road map of the pathway molten rock takes to
the surface.
Their findings, published this week in the journal Nature, are aimed
at helping experts understand the volcano's inner workings, and
eventually determine when it might again erupt.
A state landmark, Mount Rainier last erupted in the 19th century. It
is widely expected to erupt again, according to the U.S. National
Park Service.
The tallest volcano and fifth-highest peak in the contiguous United
States, it towers some 14,410-feet (4,392 meters) about 58 miles (93
km) southeast of Seattle, from most of which it is visible.
Phil Wannamaker, a geophysicist at the University of Utah, said the
new images were most detailed to date, but that they did not provide
any information on the timing of future eruptions by Mount Rainier
or other Cascade Range volcanoes.
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The volcano's magma forms deep in the Earth's mantle, the layer
between the planet's crust and its core. The magma, which is fluid
molten rock, then flows upwards to a pool about five miles (8 km)
below the peak, the study found.
The pool appears to be about 5 to 10 miles (8 km to 16 km) thick and
the same width, the researchers said.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Eric
Walsh)
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