On Friday, GeoJourney students took part in their third geo-hazard project that focused on the volcanic threat that Mount Rainier poses to Orting, Washington. Starting our day off at the base of Mount Rainier, we had a great opportunity to see what makes this volcano so dangerous: an immense amount of water stored in the mountain’s twenty-five glaciers. If and when the volcano decides to release lava or even just hot gases, it will melt the surrounding glaciers causing giant landslides (lahars) of ice, water, mud, and everything else in its path into the valleys below.  After looking at remnants of previous lahars, students explored the city of Orting, Washington to see firsthand what the citizens are prepared to do in the case that a lahar sends its forces their way.  We were surprised to find some people were very informed while others had no idea what a lahar even is.  This project taught the students much about threats that the very active volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest pose to those whom call this place home.