Scientists deploy new sensors at Mt. Adams amid unusual earthquake activity

Thursday 10th October 2024 02:02 AM

MOUNT ADAMS, Wash. (KPTV) – Scientists have begun installing new monitoring equipment around Mt. Adams amid a spike in seismic activity under the volcano in central Washington.

Mt. Adams usually experiences an earthquake every two or three years. But, in September 2024 alone, there were six recorded earthquakes. This is the most in a single month since monitoring began in 1982.

In response to the increased activity, scientists have decided to install extra temporary sensors in the Mt. Adams area. Currently there is only one permanent seismic monitor for Mt. Adams.

Mt. Adams is one of the least observed volcanoes in the Cascade Range.

The new monitoring stations record seismic vibrations and ultimately give researchers a better picture of the activity happening under the volcano.

Mt. Adams is being more closely monitored after a series of earthquakes in September. USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge talks about it.

FOX 12 spoke to USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Jon Major about Mt. Adams.

“Right now, there’s only one monitor within about six-and-a-half miles of the volcano,” said Major. “With only one monitor it’s very hard to do really good locations. It’s really difficult to get accurate depth of the earthquakes.”

Mt. Adams is considered a “High Risk” volcano, according to the USGS. However, Major said there’s no evidence that points to an eruption happening any time soon.

“At the current time, there’s no cause for concern. We’re keeping what we call our alert-level status at ‘normal,’” said Majors. “There’s a good chance this is just background activity at the volcano.”

Mt. Adams is in south-central Washington, about 30 miles north of the White Salmon-Hood River area.

USGS determines a volcano’s threat level by several factors, including potential impacts to nearby human populations, transportation disruptions, and general infrastructure impacts if there were a volcanic event.

Historically, volcanic activity at Mt. Adams is rarely explosive. The last eruption was between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago.

Mount Adams holds the distinction of the largest active volcano by size and volume in Washington state.