CASCADES VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 1:47 PM PST (Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 21:47 UTC)
NEWBERRY (VNUM #322110)
43°43'19" N 121°13'44" W, Summit Elevation 7986 ft (2434 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Newberry volcano is currently at normal/background levels of activity. Beginning on December 22, 2024, and continuing intermittently for several weeks to months, private exploration company Mazama Energy will conduct geothermal exploration work near Newberry volcano. As their geothermal work proceeds, many small magnitude, non-volcanic earthquakes will occur, which will be detected by the Newberry seismic network. Any increased rates of seismicity will be closely monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and its monitoring partner, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN). The project should not result in any changes to Newberry’s state of activity or potential volcanic hazards.
Actions by Mazama Energy in late November and early December 2024 generated minor seismic activity that was detected by the Newberry seismic network. During prior geothermal exploration activities at Newberry volcano in 2012 and 2014, hundreds of small earthquakes of magnitude M2.5 or less occurred while a company conducted geothermal work. CVO and PNSN monitoring networks are operating normally and seismologists will be able to differentiate volcanic earthquakes from those caused by geothermal exploration activity. Additional information will be issued as warranted.
GEOLOGIC CONTEXT
Newberry volcano is a broad shield-shaped, composite volcano in Central Oregon covering an area the size of Rhode Island. The central caldera is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Bend, Oregon. Notable features include Paulina Lake, East Lake, Big Obsidian Flow, and the volcano’s highest point, Paulina Peak, 7,986 ft (2,434 m) in elevation on the south caldera rim. Throughout its 500,000-year eruptive history, Newberry has produced ash and tephra, pyroclastic flows, and lava flows that range in composition from basalt to rhyolite. Newberry last erupted about 1,300 years ago, and present-day hot springs, background levels of seismicity, and geologically young lava flows indicate that it is still an active volcano.
More information on Newberry volcano can be found here:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2011/3145/fs2011-3145.pdf
https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/newberry/
https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-newberry-volcano-impressive-unappreciated-giant
The U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory and the University of Washington Pacific Northwest Seismic Network continue to monitor Washington and Oregon volcanoes closely and will issue additional notifications as warranted.
Website Resources
For images, graphics, and general information on Cascade Range volcanoes: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo
For seismic information on Oregon and Washington volcanoes: http://www.pnsn.org/volcanoes
For information on USGS volcano alert levels and notifications: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcano-notifications-deliver-situational-information
CONTACT INFORMATION: Jon Major, Scientist-in-Charge, Cascades Volcano Observatory, [email protected]
General inquiries: [email protected]