Is Washington’s largest volcano, dormant for thousands of years, waking up? Recent Mount Adams seismic activity sparks concern

To better monitor Mount Adams, the USGS has begun installing seismic stations around the volcano. (Image: Canva)

Mount Adams, Washington’s largest volcano, is experiencing increased seismic activity. The US Geological Survey (USGS) is addressing the situation with caution. Despite its dormant state for thousands of years, this uptick in activity has raised concerns.

To better monitor Mount Adams, the USGS has begun installing seismic stations around the volcano. These stations will help detect smaller earthquakes and assess if any eruption is imminent. Currently, the USGS maintains that there’s no immediate risk and has kept the alert level at GREEN/NORMAL. However, the agency remains cautious.

“The results of our findings will determine further action,” the USGS said. These additional monitoring efforts aim to understand the causes of the recent seismic events. Mount Adams has produced four lava flows over the last 12,000 years, all of which stayed close to the volcano.

Read Also: Supermoon October 2024: When and how to watch the brightest full moon of the year, which is also a Hunter Moon

The USGS has emphasised that lahars pose the biggest threat. Lahars, which are mudflows made of ash, rock, and ice, can travel far distances. These occurred 6,000 and 300 years ago, reaching areas far from Mount Adams.

There’s also concern about the weakened rock beneath the volcano's ice-capped peak. This hydrothermally altered rock could cause landslides, potentially triggering further lahars.

Despite the calm appearance, Mount Adams is considered a high-threat volcano. This classification is based more on potential future risks than current hazards. The largest concern remains the possibility of lahars impacting nearby communities.

Read Also: Nuclear bomb or 1,000-spacecraft army: What is NASA's bold mission to destroy 'planet killer' asteroids?

The Cascade Volcano Observatory (CVO) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) are closely watching the volcano. Both organisations will continue to update the public as needed.