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Glacier Peak is the most isolated of the five major stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes) of the Cascade Volcanic Arc in Washington. Located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, the volcano is not easily discernible from any heavily populated area; as a result the volcano is largely understudied and not as much is known about it compared to other volcanoes in the area. Since the most recent ice age, it has produced some of largest and most explosive eruptions in the state. The mountain has erupted explosively during each of five episodes in the past 3,000 years. The volcano formed during the Pleistocene epoch, about 1 million years ago. Glacier Peak is one of the most active of Washington's volcanoes. When continental ice sheets retreated from the region, Glacier Peak began to erupt regularly. It has erupted repeatedly during at least six periods; two of these incidents have been among the largest in Washington.
In their history, local Native Americans have recognized Glacier Peak and other Washington volcanoes. It is a part of their history and story-telling. When foreign explorers reached the region, they learned basic information about surrounding landforms, but did not learn that Glacier Peak was a volcano. Positioned in Snohomish County, the volcano is only 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Seattle – closer to that city than any volcano except Mount Rainier. However, unlike Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak is rather short, and is barely visible from a distance.