Mount Adams in Washington Sees Unusual Spike in Earthquake Activity
Mount Adams, located about 70 miles north of Portland, Oregon, is known as one of the least active volcanoes in the Cascade Range. Typically, the volcano experiences a minor earthquake only every few years. However, in September 2023, the volcano saw a spike in seismic activity, with six small earthquakes occurring in just one month.
Despite this uptick in earthquakes, Jon Major, scientist-in-charge at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Vancouver, reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern. While unusual, the quakes are considered small and not indicative of an impending eruption. Major discussed the phenomenon with OPB environment editor Courtney Sherwood, highlighting how these events are opening new opportunities for research into Mount Adams' behavior.
Where is Mount Adams, and Is It Dangerous?
Mount Adams is situated in south-central Washington, about 50 miles southwest of Yakima and 30 miles north of the White Salmon-Hood River area. While typically quiet, the volcano is classified as a "high-threat" volcano by the USGS due to its size, past activity, and the potential hazards it could pose.
Though Mount Adams last erupted between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago, the biggest risk associated with the volcano isn’t necessarily an explosive eruption. Instead, the primary danger comes from lahars, which are destructive, fast-moving flows of mud, ash, rock, and ice. Lahars can occur during both eruptive and noneruptive periods and could have a serious impact on the surrounding communities if triggered.
USGS experts point to historical events for context. Around 6,000 and 300 years ago, lahars from Mount Adams flowed downstream, reaching areas as far as Trout Lake. More recently, in 1921 and 1987, smaller landslides on the southwest side of the summit resulted in avalanches, though they only traveled a few miles.
Why Mount Adams is Drawing New Interest from Scientists
Mount Adams, despite its low-profile activity, holds the distinction of being Washington's largest active volcano by both size and volume. The recent seismic events have prompted a renewed focus on the volcano, with scientists hoping to better understand its structure and behavior through new research. They are also confident that the recent earthquakes are not linked to any larger regional activity, like the Cascade Volcano chain, or to unrelated phenomena, such as the strange odor that recently traveled along the Interstate 5 corridor.
While the earthquakes are drawing attention to Mount Adams, scientists emphasize that it remains one of the quieter volcanoes in the Cascades. Nonetheless, they continue to monitor it closely for any signs of change that might affect nearby communities or infrastructure.
