What purpose does the first section, "Before the Birth of Modern Mount Rainier," serve in the text? It explains why it is important for scientists to study Ο Α. the early history of active volcanoes. It defines the question about how volcanoes form O B. that the author seeks to address. O It provides a historical background for the later C. sections that describe more recent volcanic events. It describes the importance of lahars and landslides throughout the lifetime of a volcano.​