Mount Adams, the largest active volcano in Washington state, experienced an unusual surge in earthquake activity in September. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) are now investigating the cause of this spike by setting up temporary seismic monitoring stations at the volcano.
Typically, Mount Adams only experiences one earthquake every two to three years, but in September, six small earthquakes were recorded. While this increase in activity is uncommon for Mount Adams, it is not out of the ordinary for the Cascades region, where nearby volcanoes like Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier frequently have 10 to 20 earthquakes per month.
Despite the uptick in earthquake activity, there is no immediate concern for an eruption. The earthquakes were small, ranging from magnitudes 0.9 to 2, and were not felt by anyone near the volcano. Mount Adams last erupted around 4,000 years ago, and there is no set pattern for when it may erupt again.
If an eruption were to occur, the main danger would come from lahars, which are muddy flows of rock, ash, and ice that can flow rapidly downstream. While Mount Adams typically produces effusive eruptions with slow-moving lava flows, scientists are monitoring the volcano for any signs of deformation in the ground or gas release, which could indicate that an eruption is imminent.
Currently, Mount Adams only has one permanent seismic monitoring station, but there are plans to install more stations next summer. These additional stations will provide scientists with more data to assess the significance of the recent seismic activity and determine if any further action is needed.
Volcanologist David Pyle from the University of Oxford noted that the recent earthquakes at Mount Adams could be caused by a variety of processes, such as internal stresses and strains within the rocks. While the cause of the earthquake surge is still under investigation, the installation of temporary monitoring stations will allow scientists to closely monitor the volcano’s activity.
In conclusion, while the increase in earthquake activity at Mount Adams is unusual, there is currently no immediate threat of an eruption. Scientists will continue to monitor the volcano and gather data to better understand the cause of the seismic activity and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas.