The state has five volcanic peaks which, except for Mount St. Helens, have been classified as dormant.

Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, blasting approximately one cubic mile of material off the top of the mountain reducing its height from 9,677 feet to about 8,400 feet. The once symmetrical cone is now a horseshoe shaped crater. The blast leveled nearly 80 square miles of timber, stripping branches and leaves, leaving the standing and fallen timber looking like telephone poles. The blast touched off massive mud flows creating an area that still resembles a moonscape. New growth has re-established in the lower elevations. Filming permits and information may be obtained from the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest Office.

The other volcanic peaks, which are snow-capped year round, in Washington are:

Mount Adams, 12,307 ft.
Mount Rainier, 14,410 ft.
Glacier peak, 10,541 ft.
Mount Baker, 10,778 ft.