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Cascades Volcano Observatory

Coordinates: 45°36′39″N 122°29′48″W / 45.61083°N 122.49667°W / 45.61083; -122.49667
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United States Geological Survey
Cascades Volcano Observatory

Front of the main building of the David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory
Agency overview
Formed1980
HeadquartersVancouver, Washington, USA
Agency executive
  • Dr. Jon Major[1], Scientist-in-Charge (USGS)
Websitehttps://www.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo

The David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) is a volcano observatory in the US that monitors volcanoes in the northern Cascade Range. It was established in the summer of 1980, after the eruption of Mount St. Helens.[2] The observatory is named for United States Geological Survey (USGS) volcanologist David A. Johnston, who was killed by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.[3] The observatory's current territory covers Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The Cascade Range's extent includes northern California, and Cascade volcanoes in that state, such as Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak, previously fell under the CVO's jurisdiction. However, these volcanoes now fall under the jurisdiction of the California Volcano Observatory (CalVO), formed in February 2012 and based in Menlo Park, California, which monitors and researches volcanic activity throughout California and Nevada.[4]

The Cascades Volcano Observatory is part of the USGS, a scientific agency of the United States government.[5] It is located in Vancouver, Washington in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.

Monitored volcanoes

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This list shows volcanoes currently monitored by the Cascades Volcano Observatory, which range in order of highest to lowest risk assessment.

According to USGS risk assessment of volcanoes located in the northern Cascades region, the following volcanoes were ranked "very high threat potential".[6]

The following volcanoes were ranked "high threat potential":[6]

The following volcanoes were ranked "moderate threat potential":[6]

The following volcanoes were ranked "Low to Very Low Threat Potential":[6]

There are other volcanoes in the northern Cascades region that have not been assessed one of these risk levels which warrant monitoring. Volcanoes that have not erupted during the Holocene period were not included. USGS has noted, though less probable, that it is still possible for volcanoes to erupt on longer intervals than mentioned.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Cascades Volcano Observatory, Connect (Contacts), Retrieved Jan. 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Google Books, Monitoring Volcanoes: Techniques and Strategies Used by the Staff of the Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1980-90, Editors - John W. Ewert and Donald A. Swanson, United States Geological Survey, United States Government Printing Office, 1992, page 1, Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  3. ^ The Legacy of David A. Johnston
  4. ^ Klemetti, Erik (10 February 2012). "Meet the USGS's Newest Volcano Observatory: CalVO". Eruptions. Wired.com. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  5. ^ "WOVO.org: World Organization of Volcano Observatories". Archived from the original on 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e Cascades Volcano Observatory, Main Page -- Risk Assessment of Volcanoes, Retrieved Dec. 29. 2021.
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45°36′39″N 122°29′48″W / 45.61083°N 122.49667°W / 45.61083; -122.49667