Final answer:
Geologists predict that Mount Rainier will have a future major eruption due to its location along the active Ring of Fire and the presence of hotspots like the Yellowstone hotspot, which contribute to the volatile geologic nature of the Pacific Northwest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geologists think that Mount Rainier will have a major eruption in the future due to its location on the active Ring of Fire, where the Pacific tectonic plate meets surrounding plates, leading to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The geological history of other volcanoes in the area, such as the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, exhibits the volatility of this region. Moreover, hotspots, like the Yellowstone hotspot, demonstrate the presence of mantle plumes that contribute to volcanic activity in the North American Plate, which indicates a potential for future eruptions.
Mount Rainier, like Mount St. Helens, is situated in the Cascade Range within the Pacific Northwest, an area known for its seismic activity and volcanic history. The physical processes at work, particularly the movement of tectonic plates and the presence of hotspots, exemplify how geologic forces can build up immense pressure beneath the surface, which can eventually trigger significant volcanic events. Considering these factors and the region's history, geologists predict that Mount Rainier has the potential for future major eruptions.