Landsat 8 Image of Thacker Pass

This Landsat 8 image highlights the McDermitt Caldera, which straddles the Nevada–Oregon border. The yellow boundary outlines the caldera margin, a geologic feature formed by a massive volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Over time, weathering of lithium-rich volcanic material led to the formation of clay deposits within the caldera basin. In the southern portion lies the Thacker Pass Lithium Project, one of the largest known lithium deposits in the United States. The area is the focus of active development to support domestic lithium production. The image was acquired on July 8, 2025, and is shown using the red, green, and blue bands.