Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Elizabeth Westby
As a geologist and communications specialist at the Cascades Volcano Observatory, I focus on volcano hazards awareness, preparedness, and science learning by developing education and outreach materials, conducting group trainings and teacher workshops, participating in community outreach events, responding to the media, and writing social media for USGS Volcanoes.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Update on recent seismic activity at Mount Adams (Sep - Nov 2024)
Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mount Rainier Lahars: Hazards for the Puyallup and Nisqually River Drainages
Large lahars (volcanic mudflows) pose substantial threats to people and property downstream from Mount Rainier, Washington. Lahars can occur during an eruption, as happened at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Lahars can also begin as large landslides that occur without warning, traveling down river channels to densely populated areas downstream.
Large lahars (volcanic mudflows) pose substantial threats to people and property downstream from Mount Rainier, Washington. Lahars can occur during an eruption, as happened at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Lahars can also begin as large landslides that occur without warning, traveling down river channels to densely populated areas downstream.
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Geophysicist checks data output at Mount Rainier station
A seismologist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory checks the data output on a newly installed monitoring station at Mount Rainier.
A seismologist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory checks the data output on a newly installed monitoring station at Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier's seismic and infrasound station PARA
Seismic and infrasound station PARA, installed October 6-8, 2020 at Mount Rainier.
Seismic and infrasound station PARA, installed October 6-8, 2020 at Mount Rainier.
A geophysicist notes location of new seismometer at Mount Rainier
A geophysicist from the Cascades Volcano Observatory notes the location of a newly buried seismometer at station PARA, on Mount Rainier.
A geophysicist from the Cascades Volcano Observatory notes the location of a newly buried seismometer at station PARA, on Mount Rainier.
NAGT intern installs infrasound sensors at Mount Rainier
NAGT intern Emily Bryant installs one of three infrasound sensors at volcano monitoring station PARA, at Mount Rainier.
NAGT intern Emily Bryant installs one of three infrasound sensors at volcano monitoring station PARA, at Mount Rainier.
Sunrise at Mount St. Helens
The sun rises at Mount St. Helens (pictured in the distance), with low-level clouds covering Coldwater Lake. The view is from the Coldwater Science and Learning Center, the site of the 2018 GeoGirls field camp program.
The sun rises at Mount St. Helens (pictured in the distance), with low-level clouds covering Coldwater Lake. The view is from the Coldwater Science and Learning Center, the site of the 2018 GeoGirls field camp program.
GeoGirls Examing Tephra Deposits
The GeoGirls examined tephra (ash and pumice) deposits from Mount St. Helens’ eruptive past and learned how to create a stratigraphic column.
The GeoGirls examined tephra (ash and pumice) deposits from Mount St. Helens’ eruptive past and learned how to create a stratigraphic column.
Collecting water quality data at Coldwater Lake
GeoGirls collect water quality data at Coldwater Lake and sieve landslide deposits to learn more about the impact of the 1980 eruption and the transport of volcanic sediment.
GeoGirls collect water quality data at Coldwater Lake and sieve landslide deposits to learn more about the impact of the 1980 eruption and the transport of volcanic sediment.
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar to locate rock and ash layers from past eruptions at Mount St. Helens (Mount Adams is pictured in the background).
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar to locate rock and ash layers from past eruptions at Mount St. Helens (Mount Adams is pictured in the background).
Balloon Mapping
A balloon and simple point-and-shoot camera is used to collect digital images that are stitched together to build a 3D elevation model of the landscape.
A balloon and simple point-and-shoot camera is used to collect digital images that are stitched together to build a 3D elevation model of the landscape.
GeoGirls learn about the eruption of Mount St. Helens
GeoGirls learn about how the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens impacted the ecology of the area.
GeoGirls learn about how the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens impacted the ecology of the area.
Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
Volcano Monitoring Equipment Cache
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
USGS Seismometer
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Inside USGS, No. 5, Pleistocene Glaciations of Greater Yellowstone
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Inside USGS, No. 6, Ken Pierce, Heavy Breathing of Yellowstone Caldera
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock.
A photograph of Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock on January 18, 2014.
A photograph of Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock on January 18, 2014.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Update on recent seismic activity at Mount Adams (Sep - Nov 2024)
Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation
A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.
Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.
Mount Rainier Lahars: Hazards for the Puyallup and Nisqually River Drainages
Large lahars (volcanic mudflows) pose substantial threats to people and property downstream from Mount Rainier, Washington. Lahars can occur during an eruption, as happened at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Lahars can also begin as large landslides that occur without warning, traveling down river channels to densely populated areas downstream.
Large lahars (volcanic mudflows) pose substantial threats to people and property downstream from Mount Rainier, Washington. Lahars can occur during an eruption, as happened at Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Lahars can also begin as large landslides that occur without warning, traveling down river channels to densely populated areas downstream.
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Geophysicist checks data output at Mount Rainier station
A seismologist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory checks the data output on a newly installed monitoring station at Mount Rainier.
A seismologist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory checks the data output on a newly installed monitoring station at Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier's seismic and infrasound station PARA
Seismic and infrasound station PARA, installed October 6-8, 2020 at Mount Rainier.
Seismic and infrasound station PARA, installed October 6-8, 2020 at Mount Rainier.
A geophysicist notes location of new seismometer at Mount Rainier
A geophysicist from the Cascades Volcano Observatory notes the location of a newly buried seismometer at station PARA, on Mount Rainier.
A geophysicist from the Cascades Volcano Observatory notes the location of a newly buried seismometer at station PARA, on Mount Rainier.
NAGT intern installs infrasound sensors at Mount Rainier
NAGT intern Emily Bryant installs one of three infrasound sensors at volcano monitoring station PARA, at Mount Rainier.
NAGT intern Emily Bryant installs one of three infrasound sensors at volcano monitoring station PARA, at Mount Rainier.
Sunrise at Mount St. Helens
The sun rises at Mount St. Helens (pictured in the distance), with low-level clouds covering Coldwater Lake. The view is from the Coldwater Science and Learning Center, the site of the 2018 GeoGirls field camp program.
The sun rises at Mount St. Helens (pictured in the distance), with low-level clouds covering Coldwater Lake. The view is from the Coldwater Science and Learning Center, the site of the 2018 GeoGirls field camp program.
GeoGirls Examing Tephra Deposits
The GeoGirls examined tephra (ash and pumice) deposits from Mount St. Helens’ eruptive past and learned how to create a stratigraphic column.
The GeoGirls examined tephra (ash and pumice) deposits from Mount St. Helens’ eruptive past and learned how to create a stratigraphic column.
Collecting water quality data at Coldwater Lake
GeoGirls collect water quality data at Coldwater Lake and sieve landslide deposits to learn more about the impact of the 1980 eruption and the transport of volcanic sediment.
GeoGirls collect water quality data at Coldwater Lake and sieve landslide deposits to learn more about the impact of the 1980 eruption and the transport of volcanic sediment.
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar to locate rock and ash layers from past eruptions at Mount St. Helens (Mount Adams is pictured in the background).
GeoGirls use ground-penetrating radar to locate rock and ash layers from past eruptions at Mount St. Helens (Mount Adams is pictured in the background).
Balloon Mapping
A balloon and simple point-and-shoot camera is used to collect digital images that are stitched together to build a 3D elevation model of the landscape.
A balloon and simple point-and-shoot camera is used to collect digital images that are stitched together to build a 3D elevation model of the landscape.
GeoGirls learn about the eruption of Mount St. Helens
GeoGirls learn about how the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens impacted the ecology of the area.
GeoGirls learn about how the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens impacted the ecology of the area.
Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
Volcano Monitoring Equipment Cache
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
USGS Seismometer
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Inside USGS, No. 5, Pleistocene Glaciations of Greater Yellowstone
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Inside USGS, No. 6, Ken Pierce, Heavy Breathing of Yellowstone Caldera
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Dr. Kenneth Pierce studied the geology and geomorphology of the greater Yellowstone area for nearly his entire career with the U.S. Geological Survey. From 1965 to present, Dr.
Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock.
A photograph of Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock on January 18, 2014.
A photograph of Mount St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock on January 18, 2014.