This aerial photo, taken from about 40,000 feet and looking east, highlights the rugged central lava domes and smooth circular debris apron of the Sutter Buttes. USGS photo by J. Ball.
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Sutter Buttes, California seen from the air
This aerial photo, taken from about 40,000 feet and looking east, highlights the rugged central lava domes and smooth circular debris apron of the Sutter Buttes. USGS photo by J. Ball.
Comparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes in the USA
Comparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes in the USAComparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes (by volume of erupted magma) in the U.S., modified from an AVO/USGS figure. Also included for reference is the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The three caldera-forming eruptions in Alaska are more than 200 times the size of the 1980 eruption of Mount St.
Comparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes in the USA
Comparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes in the USAComparison of caldera-forming eruption sizes (by volume of erupted magma) in the U.S., modified from an AVO/USGS figure. Also included for reference is the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The three caldera-forming eruptions in Alaska are more than 200 times the size of the 1980 eruption of Mount St.
Lahar Safety Infographic
A lahar is a volcanic mudflow. Learn if you are if you are in a lahar hazard zone and how to evacuate to high ground. If you are in a lahar hazard zone and get a lahar alert - go now! Every second matters.
A lahar is a volcanic mudflow. Learn if you are if you are in a lahar hazard zone and how to evacuate to high ground. If you are in a lahar hazard zone and get a lahar alert - go now! Every second matters.
2026 Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Science & Technology (PIEFEST) in San Mateo, CA
2026 Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Science & Technology (PIEFEST) in San Mateo, CAAn eruption of the tabletop "Mount Shasta" using cornstarch as volcanic ash and puffed rice cereal as "lava bombs". USGS photo by M. Glasgow.
2026 Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Science & Technology (PIEFEST) in San Mateo, CA
2026 Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Science & Technology (PIEFEST) in San Mateo, CAAn eruption of the tabletop "Mount Shasta" using cornstarch as volcanic ash and puffed rice cereal as "lava bombs". USGS photo by M. Glasgow.
USGS California Volcano Observatory outreach at a Bay Area science festival
USGS California Volcano Observatory outreach at a Bay Area science festivalCalVO scientists explaining the differences between lava types to several future volcanologists while "Mount Shasta" prepares for its next eruption. USGS photo by J. Ball
USGS California Volcano Observatory outreach at a Bay Area science festival
USGS California Volcano Observatory outreach at a Bay Area science festivalCalVO scientists explaining the differences between lava types to several future volcanologists while "Mount Shasta" prepares for its next eruption. USGS photo by J. Ball
Types of earthquake sequences
These simplified plots of earthquake magnitude versus time show the differences between tectonic earthquake sequences and magmatic earthquake swarms. Figure by Alicia Hotovec-Ellis, USGS.
These simplified plots of earthquake magnitude versus time show the differences between tectonic earthquake sequences and magmatic earthquake swarms. Figure by Alicia Hotovec-Ellis, USGS.