Images from the Northwest

Mount Rainier in Washington State is a part of a string of active volcanoes called the Cascade Range, a 700 mile line of mountains that runs from British Columbia to California. It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. It last erupted in the 1800s, but when it erupts again it will most likely be much bigger than the deadly Mt. Saint Helens' eruption -- and Seattle is in the potential danger zone.

Here is a detailed image of the summit of Mt. Rainier and its glaciers. It makes its own weather, but also has an almost continuous venting of steam.

Mt. Saint Helens, another volcano in the Cascade Range, is on the right in this photo. You can see the southern flank, where the side of the mountain blew out in the massive 1980 eruption.

Water is plentiful in the Northwest. In Washington, this waterfall runs through the center of a fallen tree.

In Oregon, the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash into the shore. Here, some waves are so large that the make it over the top of these huge rocks. Note the depression on the top of the rocks that was created by waves cresting the top.

Oregon provides lots of pull-out viewpoints with spectacular views.

The surf rushes out, leaving foam on the beach.

A photographer watches the surf, waiting for the perfect shot.