Volcano Science Center
Find U.S. Volcano
The Volcano Science Center is the primary center serving the mission of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program — to enhance public safety and minimize social and economic disruption from volcanic unrest and eruption. The center is home to the five US volcano observatories with offices in Anchorage, Alaska; Menlo Park and Mountain View, California; Vancouver, Washington; and Hilo, Hawaii.
News
Thinking outside the caldera: Understanding basaltic eruptions at Yellowstone
Thinking outside the caldera: Understanding basaltic eruptions at Yellowstone
Even small lakes can tell big earthquake stories in the Yellowstone region
Even small lakes can tell big earthquake stories in the Yellowstone region
Volcano Watch — A Focus on the National Volcano Information Service
Volcano Watch — A Focus on the National Volcano Information Service
Publications
Volcanic gases reflect magma stalling and launching depths
Many open-vent arc volcanoes display two modes in their continuous gas emissions, one with a characteristic CO2/ ST ratio typical of periods of quiescent degassing and another punctuated by high CO2/ ST gas emitted in the weeks before eruption, a recently recognized eruption precursor. In this study we explore the origin of the two modes of degassing revealed by time-series gas data at...
Fast or slow: An evaluation of Ti-in-quartz diffusion coefficients through comparisons of quartz and plagioclase diffusion times
Diffusion geochronometry using Ti-in-quartz has become a valuable method in understanding the evolution of silicic magmas. However, four different options for Ti diffusivity (DTi) currently exist, spanning three orders of magnitude, resulting in substantially different estimated times and interpretations. We present Ti-in-quartz diffusion times for the Cerro Galán Ignimbrite using the...
Monitoring lava lake fluctuations and crater refilling with continuous laser rangefinders
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has developed a new method to continuously monitor lava lake elevations. Since 2018, HVO has stationed a laser rangefinder on Kīlauea’s caldera rim. The instrument automatically measures lava lake elevation each second, with centimeter accuracy. A stream of elevation data flows to HVO’s database and public website...
Science
How are lava flows mapped in Hawaii?
Lava flow mapping provides situational awareness of volcanic eruptive hazards in Hawaii. During eruptions, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists employ a variety of techniques to collect and disseminate map data depicting key eruptive features, especially lava flows.
Mining and mineralization of the Clear Lake region
The Geysers-Clear Lake area has been one of the most productive in the United States for mercury, and gold was mined in the late 1800s. Many of the deposits are directly associated with outcrops of early Clear Lake volcanic rocks.
Geology and History of Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
Black Rock Desert volcanic field is the northernmost volcanic field in a belt of young volcanic fields beginning in the northern Grand Canyon of Arizona and continuing in a north-trending line through Utah. Part of the eastern Basin and Range Province, the Black Rock Desert volcanic field covers nearly 7,000 km2 (2,700 mi) and is 145 km (90 mi) long.