Chronology and references of volcanic eruptions and selected unrest in the United States, 1980-2008

Open-File Report 2009-1118
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The United States ranks as one of the top countries in the world in the number of young, active volcanoes within its borders. The United States, including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is home to approximately 170 geologically active (age <10,000 years) volcanoes. As our review of the record shows, 30 of these volcanoes have erupted since 1980, many repeatedly. In addition to producing eruptions, many U.S. volcanoes exhibit periods of anomalous activity, unrest, that do not culminate in eruptions. Monitoring volcanic activity in the United States is the responsibility of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) and is accomplished with academic, Federal, and State partners. The VHP supports five Volcano Observatories - the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), Long Valley Observatory (LVO), and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). With the exception of HVO, which was established in 1912, the U.S. Volcano Observatories have been established in the past 27 years in response to specific volcanic eruptions or sustained levels of unrest. As understanding of volcanic activity and hazards has grown over the years, so have the extent and types of monitoring networks and techniques available to detect early signs of anomalous volcanic behavior. This increased capability is providing us with a more accurate gauge of volcanic activity in the United States. The purpose of this report is to (1) document the range of volcanic activity that U.S. Volcano Observatories have dealt with, beginning with the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, (2) describe some overall characteristics of the activity, and (3) serve as a quick reference to pertinent published literature on the eruptions and unrest documented in this report.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Chronology and references of volcanic eruptions and selected unrest in the United States, 1980-2008
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2009-1118
DOI 10.3133/ofr20091118
Edition Version 1.0
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Volcano Hazards Program
Description 85 p.
Time Range Start 1980-01-01
Time Range End 2008-12-31
Country Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, United States
State Alaska, Washington
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details