Mount Adams: Record spike in earthquakes at Washington's 'major threat' volcano prompts researchers to search for answers

Scientists have recorded a spike in seismicity at Mount Adams Volcano, the largest active volcano in Washington state.

Six earthquakes hit the “high threat” volcano in September, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a significant increase from the normal rate of one quake at the volcano every two to three years.

This is the largest number of earthquakes recorded at Mount Adams in a single month since recording began in 1982. The quakes ranged from 0.9 to 2 and were recorded via a single seismic station 7 miles (11 km) southwest of the summit of Mount Adams. None of the earthquakes were felt on the surface.

According to experts, these earthquakes do not mean that a volcanic eruption is imminent. “At this time, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is of concern,” USGS representatives wrote in a statement.

Efforts are underway to better understand what is happening beneath the volcano. Scientists from the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) will install an array of temporary seismic stations in the area to get a better understanding of the magnitude, location and depth of seismic activity, the release said.

Mount Adams rises more than 12,000 feet (3,660 m) above the ground and extends 18 miles (29 km) wide, making it one of the largest peaks in the Cascades. It is located about 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Portland.

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The volcano formed about 520 thousand years ago. The largest cone grew during three eruptive periods — 500,000, 400,000, and 50,000 to 30,000 years ago — and is surrounded by several smaller vents.

Mount Adams is the largest active volcano in Washington state. (Image credit: Google Earth)

It last erupted sometime between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago, according to the US Geological Survey. In general, the volcano has produced pyroclastic eruptions, which involve slow-moving lava flows, rather than more destructive explosive eruptions.

“The greatest threat to people living near Mount Adams is lahars (muddy flows of rock, ash, and ice that flow downstream like rapidly flowing concrete) that can occur during periods of eruption or non-eruption,” the representatives wrote in the statement. “The ice-covered summit hides large amounts of thermally weak rock, and future landslides of this weak rock could generate far-reaching lahars.”

CVO and PNSN scientists will begin monitoring data from temporary seismic stations, which, combined with information from the permanent station, will allow them to find smaller earthquakes and understand the cause of recent events.

“The outcome of our findings will determine whether any additional actions are needed,” the representatives wrote.

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