Large debris flow visible on Mount Baker

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — A large debris flow is visible on Washington's Mount Baker as a gray streak on the volcano's east side.

Western Washington University geologist Dave Tucker told the Bellingham Herald that the debris slide is a scientific curiosity. He says debris flows occur occasionally and are not a concern to anyone except mountaineers.

Tucker says observers will notice a dark streak that looks like a gray river on the Boulder Glacier until it snows. A debris flow is like an avalanche that gathers ice, rock and volcanic deposits.

The debris flow was reported by climbers who sent in photographs from a June 4-5 summit. Tucker urges climbers or pilots to send photographs to the Mount Baker Volcano Research Center.