It’s the most northwestern university in the mainland U.S. and it sits right under the nose of a major mystery. “We have these active volcanoes right in our backyards,” said Susan DeBari, PhD, Professor of Geology, Western Washington University. Western Washington University hosts a geology program dedicated to putting together the puzzle of what makes up some of the most dangerous volcanoes in the United States. “You look at that volcano, right?" DeBari said. "It just looks like a mountain with snow on it. But, I think when we look at it, we're envisioning what's happening, like 20 kilometers beneath the surface." DeBari was studying pre-med as a sophomore at Cornell University in 1980 when Mount St. Helens erupted. "It felt like it was from another planet," DeBari said. "I could never have imagined that I would be studying cascade volcanoes." A few months later, a friend introduced her to a geology course and her interest was forever piqued. She changed her major and dedicated her career to studying volcanoes. With active volcanoes like Mount St. Helens, the Pacific Northwest is the ideal place for geologists and volcanologists like DeBari. “It was one of the most exciting pieces for me in being hired here 25 years ago, at Western Washington University, because we have these active volcanoes right in our backyards,” DeBari said. DeBari works with fellow geologist Associate Professor, Kristina Walowski, on the project to decode volcanoes. “I just like absolutely fell in love with not only going to these places but learning how they formed and why they look the way they do,” Walowski said. Read the full story here: https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/scientists-solve-mysteries-volcanoes-pacific-northwest/281-a34b508b-194a-417c-8042-88cdb0c16f49