Cascade Mountains, USA

Synonyms

Canadian cascade; Cascade range; Cascadia; North cascade

Definition

The Cascade Mountains, USA, is a major mountain range of western North America. It extends for about 1120 km in the north–south direction from northern California through Oregon and Washington State, and for a short distance into British Columbia, Canada. The Cascades derive their name from the cascades (waterfalls) of the Columbia River. The Cascade Mountains include both nonvolcanic mountains, including the rugged spires of the North Cascades and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades. Major peaks in Cascade Mountains in California are Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta; in Oregon are Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson and in Washington State are Mount Adams, Mount Baker, Mount St Helens, and Mount Rainier.

The Cascade Mountains are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of volcanoes and associated mountains around the Pacific Ocean. The most active volcanoes in the USA, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, are...