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
Yellowstone, Redstone, Greenstone, Blueschist—what makes rocks so colorful?
Yellowstone, Redstone, Greenstone, Blueschist—what makes rocks so colorful?
Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit overflight and fieldwork
Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit overflight and fieldwork
Volcano Watch — The tephra time machine: exploring Kīlauea’s past
Volcano Watch — The tephra time machine: exploring Kīlauea’s past
Publications
The eruptive behavior of distributed volcanism forming low shield edifices—A case study of Sentinel-Arlington volcanic field, U.S.A. The eruptive behavior of distributed volcanism forming low shield edifices—A case study of Sentinel-Arlington volcanic field, U.S.A.
Distributed volcanic fields are present in various tectonic settings worldwide, and their characteristics reflect differing influences from magmatic and tectonic processes. In the southwestern United States alone, there are 37 Quaternary distributed volcanic fields. After the primary period of extensional tectonics in the southern Basin and Range 15–5 million years ago, the Sentinel...
Distributed volcanic fields—Patterns, products, processes, and plumbing Distributed volcanic fields—Patterns, products, processes, and plumbing
Distributed volcanic fields—also referred to as “monogenetic fields” or simply “volcanic fields”—are found on every continent, on the seafloors, and in every tectonic setting on Earth. Yet, our understanding of what constitutes a distributed volcanic field, and our knowledge of the common products, spatiotemporal patterns in activity, and plumbing systems of these fields, are commonly...
Science
Uplift along the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera
An area on the north rim of Yellowstone caldera, to the south of Norris Geyser Basin, started to uplift slightly in July 2025. Similar deformation occurred in the same area during 1996-2004 and reveals characteristics of the subsurface.
USGS volcano-hydrothermal fluid chemistry data
The USGS has published chemistry data for volcanic and hydrothermal fluids sampled at sites around the United States.
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.