Scientists deploy new sensors at largest active volcano in Washington to track seismic activity

MOUNT ADAMS, Wash. (KPTV/Gray News) – Scientists are installing new monitoring equipment around Mount Adams amid a spike in seismic activity under the volcano.

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

So, scientists have decided to install extra temporary sensors in the Mount Adams area.

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

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

KPTV spoke to USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Jon Major about Mount Adams.

USGS is the United States Geological Survey.

“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.”

Mount Adams is also 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.”

Mount 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 on nearby human populations, transportation disruptions, and general infrastructure impacts if there were a volcanic event.

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

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