Mount Rainier National Park has long been a favorite destination for travelers wanting to view glacier-fed waterfalls and stand beneath the tallest mountain in Washington. Additionally, the park's beautiful alpine scenery and extensive hiking trails attract almost one million visitors each year .

But behind the beauty, researchers say the mountain's condition is less stable than many assume. A recently analyzed collection of photographs, some taken more than seven decades ago, has uncovered something experts had hoped not to find: Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, appears to be physically shrinking . And the reason is even more alarming.

Here’s what the new research uncovered, and what these changes could mean for future visitors.

Researchers Studied Historical Photos That May

See Full Page