List of volcanoes in the United States
List of Volcanoes in the United States encompasses the notable and active volcanoes in the United States. The United States is home to a wide range of volcanic formations, spread across its territory, showcasing the country's dynamic geological history. This list includes both historically active volcanoes and those considered dormant or extinct.
Active Volcanoes[edit | edit source]
Active volcanoes are those that have erupted in recent history and have a potential to erupt again. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitors these volcanoes closely.
- Mount St. Helens – Located in Washington, Mount St. Helens famously erupted on May 18, 1980, in one of the most significant volcanic events in the recorded history of the United States.
- Kīlauea – One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kīlauea is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. It has been erupting continuously since 1983.
- Mauna Loa – Also located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mauna Loa is the largest shield volcano on Earth by volume and area. It last erupted in 1984 and is closely monitored for signs of activity.
- Mount Rainier – Standing as the highest peak in the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier in Washington is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to its large amount of glacial ice and proximity to metropolitan areas.
Dormant and Extinct Volcanoes[edit | edit source]
Dormant volcanoes are those that have not erupted in recent history but retain the potential to erupt in the future. Extinct volcanoes are unlikely to erupt again.
- Crater Lake – Formed by the collapse of the ancient volcano Mount Mazama around 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake in Oregon is an example of a caldera, a volcanic feature formed by the collapse of a volcano into itself.
- Shiprock – Located in New Mexico, Shiprock is a volcanic neck or the solidified conduit of an extinct volcano. It is an iconic landmark and holds cultural significance to the Navajo people.
Volcanic Fields and Other Features[edit | edit source]
The United States also contains numerous volcanic fields and other volcanic features such as lava tubes, domes, and cinder cones.
- Yellowstone Caldera – The Yellowstone Caldera in Wyoming is one of the largest volcanic systems in North America. It is an example of a supervolcano and has produced three massive eruptions in the past 2.1 million years.
- Long Valley Caldera – Located in California, the Long Valley Caldera is another significant supervolcano, which experienced a massive eruption 760,000 years ago.
Monitoring and Research[edit | edit source]
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and other scientific organizations monitor volcanoes in the United States to predict future eruptions and study volcanic activity. Monitoring efforts include seismic activity measurements, gas emissions, ground deformation, and thermal imaging.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD