Scientists deploy monitors on unusually active volcano in Washington

MOUNT ADAMS, Washington. – Scientists have issued a statement following a surge in seismic activity at Mount Adams in central Washington.

The volcano typically experiences an earthquake every two to three years. There were six in September 2024 alone, the most in a single month since monitoring began in 1982.

There is only one permanent seismic monitor nearby. In response to the increased activity, scientists have decided to install temporary stations in the Mount Adams area.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 21: A view of Mount Adams was photographed from an Alaska Airlines flight at 30,000 feet near Seattle, Washington on September 21, 2021. Mount Adams is an active stratovolcano in Skamania County, 98 miles south

The new stations offer researchers the opportunity to better assess the significance of recent seismic activity.

According to the United States Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, there is currently no indication that the level of earthquake activity is a cause for concern.

The results of the rapid deployment instruments will determine whether USGS and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network need to take additional action.

Mount Adams: Where is it and is it dangerous?

Mount Adams is located in south-central Washington, approximately 50 miles southwest of Yakima and 30 miles north of the White Salmon-Hood River area. It is classified as a “high threat” volcano in the United States.

Washington, Mount Adams in the Cascade Range is the second highest mountain in Washington State. It is a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

A volcano's hazard level is based on what is known about when and what type of eruptions have occurred. According to the USGS, this information is weighed against potential impacts to surrounding populations, aircraft activity and general impacts to infrastructure in the event of a volcanic event.

“The greatest threat to people living near Mount Adams are lahars (muddy streams of rock, ash and ice that flow downstream like fast-moving concrete) that can occur during eruptive or non-eruptive periods. “Lahars formed from landslides about 6,000 and 300 years ago. Weakened rocks high on the southwest side of the volcano flowed to the Trout Lake area and beyond,” USGS-CVO officials said.

More recently, in 1921 and 1987, smaller landslides triggered avalanches on the southwest side of the summit block. Scientists say these only went back a few kilometers.

Historically, activity at the volcano has rarely been explosive. The last eruption at this location occurred between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago.

Mount Adams is considered the largest active volcano in Washington State by size and volume.

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