Canada has volcanoes — and one of the most hazardous sits just 150 kilometres north of Vancouver.

In this episode of Whimsical Wavelengths, host Jeffrey Zurek is joined by volcanologist Dr. Glynn Williams-Jones, Professor of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, for an in-depth look at Mount Meager, one of Canada’s most active — and least understood — volcanic systems.

Mount Meager is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, the same tectonic chain that includes Mount St. Helens and Mount Baker. Subduction zones don’t stop at international borders, and neither do volcanic hazards. Together, we unpack why Mount Meager qualifies as a Cascade volcano, how magma is generated beneath western Canada, and why this system deserves far more public attention than it receives.

The episode explores Meager’s most recent eruption approximately 2,400 years ago, an explosive event comparable in style (though smaller in magnitude) to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. That eruption produced ash columns, pumice falls, lava domes, and fast-moving pyroclastic density currents that travelled into the Lillooet River valley.

One of the most striking outcomes was a natural damming of the river by volcanic deposits, creating a temporary lake that later failed catastrophically. The resulting outburst flood left lasting geological evidence still visible in the landscape today — a reminder that volcanic hazards don’t end when eruptions stop.

But eruptions aren’t the only concern.

Mount Meager is also the site of Canada’s largest recorded landslide, which occurred in 2010 and involved roughly 53 million cubic metres of rock. Volcanic alteration, steep topography, glaciers, and climate-driven instability combine to make landslides one of the most immediate risks associated with the volcano — even during periods of volcanic quiet.

We discuss how scientists monitor Mount Meager today, including seismic networks, satellite measurements, and visual observations, as well as why many Canadian volcanoes remain under-instrumented compared to similar systems elsewhere in the world.

Along the way, the conversation touches on scientific mentorship, the realities of academic research, and why understanding volcanic risk is less about fear and more about preparedness, communication, and informed decision-making.

If you think Canada doesn’t have dangerous volcanoes, this episode may change your mind.

Besure to check out the center for natural hazards at SFU

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