Mount Adams: A record-breaking increase in earthquakes at Washington's "highly endangered" volcano has researchers searching for answers

Scientists have recorded a significant increase in earthquakes at Mount Adams volcano – the largest active volcano in Washington state.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), six “high threat” earthquakes occurred at the volcano in September, a drastic increase from the normal rate of one earthquake at the volcano every two to three years.

This is the largest number of earthquakes recorded at Mount Adams in a single month since records began in 1982. The earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 0.9 to 2 and were recorded by a single seismic station 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of the summit of Mount Adams. No ground tremors were felt on the surface.

Experts say these earthquakes do not mean an eruption is imminent. “At this time, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is of concern,” USGS officials said wrote in a statement.

Efforts are being made to better understand what is happening beneath the volcano. Scientists from the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) will install a series of temporary seismic stations in the area to gain a better understanding of the size, location and depth of seismic activity, the statement said.

Mount Adams rises more than 3,660 meters above the earth's surface and stretches 29 kilometers wide, making it one of the largest peaks in the Cascades Mountains. It is located about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Portland.

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The volcano was formed around 520,000 years ago. The largest cone grew during three eruption episodes – 500,000, 400,000 and 50,000 to 30,000 years ago – and is surrounded by several smaller vents.

Aerial view of Mount Adams in Washington State with ice covered peak and green vegetation in the surrounding area

Mount Adams is the largest active volcano in Washington State. (Image credit: Google Earth)

Accordingly, the last eruption occurred between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago USGS. In general, the volcano has produced exuberant eruptions, which are slow-moving streams of lava, rather than more destructive explosive eruptions.

“The greatest threat to people living near Mount Adams are lahars (muddy streams of rock, ash and ice that flow downstream like fast-moving concrete) that can occur during eruptive or non-eruptive periods,” representatives wrote in the statement. “The ice-covered peak hides large amounts of hydrothermally weakened rock, and future landslides of this weakened rock could produce well-traveled lahars.”

CVO and PNSN scientists will begin monitoring data from the temporary seismic stations, which, together with information from the permanent station, will allow them to find smaller earthquakes and understand the cause of recent events.

“The results of our findings will determine whether further action is necessary,” the representatives wrote.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. EDT on Friday, October 4, to correct the location of Mount Adams. It's northeast of Portland, not northwest.

Mount Adams: A record-breaking increase in earthquakes at Washington's “highly endangered” volcano has researchers searching for answers

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