“As of 1:00 PM PT on July 8, 2025 – an earthquake swarm, consisting of hundreds of very small earthquakes have occurred since approximately 1:30 AM PDT this morning. An earthquake swarm is a cluster of earthquakes occurring in the same area in rapid succession. Currently, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is cause for concern, and the alert level and color code for Mount Rainier remain at GREEN / NORMAL” says a Tuesday USGS press release about recent activity on the mountain, urging people in the Seattle area to not freak the fuck out yet.
“Do they pose any significant threat to people hiking on the mountain today? No. These events are too small to feel and the shaking from these is too small to trigger any additional activity from cliff faces or glaciers. Warm temperatures on the volcano have occurred over the past couple of days that have caused an increase in rockfall and icefall that has been noted by Mount Rainier National Park. The current warm weather is not related to the swarm under Mount Rainier,” says one of the frequently asked questions listed under the press release, emphasis added on the last part because man that’s kind of depressing people would ask that frequently enough for them to include it.