Amazing Shadow of Mount Rainier

Shadow of Mount Rainier – All objects & things, even big or small, cast shadows like Mount Rainier. Although, one particular peak displays an unusual behavior and it cast shadows not on the ground, but amazingly up in the clouds. How does that happen? Mount Rainier is a massive volcanic peak located 87 kilometers southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States, that climbs to a height of 4,392 meters.

Mount Rainier is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, because of its large amount of glacial ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive lahars that would threaten the whole Puyallup River valley.

Noteworthy that there are no other mountains near that height in the surroundings, so it is topographically the most prominent mountain in the entire USA.  On a clear day, the peak dominates the southeastern horizon and can be seen from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Therefore; on a cloudy morning, when the cloud heights are just right, the rising sun can catch the peak from below and cast a long shadow on the underside of the cloud. This only happens during the fall and winter when the sun rises farther to the south and is in the exact position where Mount Rainier blocks the first rays of morning light. The rising sun catches the peak, and the shadow is cast on the underside of the cloud layer. The dramatic sunrise colors really make this an incredibly beautiful shot.