'This Is A Cloud': Mount Rainier Not Erupting, USGS Confirms

MOUNT RAINIER, WA — Federal scientists and National Park Service officials moved quickly Wednesday to reassure Puget Sound residents that Mount Rainier was not erupting, despite apparent venting seen near the volcano's summit.

Video shared on social media by KOMO meteorologist Kristin Clark showed what looked like a column of steam coming from Mount Rainier shortly before 9:45 a.m. The clip garnered considerable interest within minutes, prompting a response from the United States Geological Survey's volcano team.

The USGS confirmed Rainier was not in the process of erupting but said the activity seen in the video was not unusual for an active volcano. Officials later clarified that monitoring data showed no changes indicating volcanic activity. A field team of volcanologists that happened to be on-site installing new monitoring equipment provided first-hand confirmation that there were no anomalies.

According to the USGS, the National Park Service's official assessment is that the apparent venting was actually a cloud formation passing Mount Rainier at just the right angle, pointing to webcam images from the summit showing what looked like lenticular clouds.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the National Park Service explains:

"After looking at the data we collect, the USGS seismic network does not show any unusual levels of activity coming from Mount Rainier. We have coordinated with our colleagues at the National Park Service and their boots on the ground experts are suggesting it is a lenticular cloud, a very interesting cloud formation at Mount Rainier. Lenticular clouds are often formed when moist air is pushed up and over the top of a mountain, forming a disc shaped cloud. The webcam views from Paradise and Camp Schurman show the flow of the cloud over the top from a different view. In this case, it is likely related to related to a passing weather front."

Residents can access live information from official monitoring sites on the USGS website.