Pierce County preparing for threat of volcanic eruptions

PUYALLUP, Wash. — Pierce County will prepare for the threat of eruptions from Mount Rainier and Mount Saint Helens.

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Officials are enlisting help from halfway around the world.

Scientists from Colombia will be there Thursday.

Both countries have seen eruptions that caused deadly disasters, and the conversation happening in Pierce County is how to prepare for the next one.

The delegation from Columbia will be visiting both Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.

Mount St Helens erupted in 1980, killing nearly 60 people and destroying hundreds of homes.

Just last year, the U.S. Geological Survey named Mount Rainier one of the most dangerous in the world, in part due to the many communities surrounding the mountain.

Experts from both the U.S. and Columbia will focus their meetings this week on emergency preparedness — what each has learned during their respective disasters and how to minimize the most risks to people living near these volcanoes.

A public event will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at Orting High School where people can come and meet with volcano experts from both countries.

One conversation about volcanic safety is the expansion of the warning system at Mount Rainier, which is less than a two-hour drive from Puyallup.

The idea is that it would help warn residents on when to evacuate when the next eruption happens.