Seismicity apparently triggered by M 7.5 earthquake hundreds of kilometers away
Southern California's largest earthquake since 1952, M 7.5 on 28 June, appeared to trigger seismicity at several volcanic centers in California. It was centered roughly 200 km E of Los Angeles. In the following, David Hill describes post-earthquake activity at Long Valley caldera, and Stephen Walter discusses the USGS's seismic network, and the changes it detected at Lassen, Shasta, Medicine Lake, and the Geysers.
In recent years, the USGS northern California seismic network has relied upon Real-Time Processors (RTPs) to detect, record, and locate earthquakes. However, a film recorder (develocorder) collects data from 18 stations in volcanic areas, primarily to detect long-period earthquakes missed by RTPs. The film recorders proved useful in counting the post-M 7.5 earthquakes, most of which were too small to trigger the RTPs.
The film record was scanned for the 24 hours after the M 7.5 earthquake, noting the average coda duration for each identified event. Some events may have been missed because of seismogram saturation by the M 7.5 earthquake. Marked increases in microseismicity were observed at Lassen Peak, Medicine Lake caldera, and the Geysers (table 1). No earthquakes were observed at Shasta, but the lack of operating stations on the volcano limited the capability to observe small events.
Date | Lassen | Shasta | Medicine Lake | Geysers | ||||
Codas (seconds) | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 |
25 Apr 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
28 Jun 1992 | 8 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 46 | 4 |
Film was also scanned for the 24 hours following the M 7.0 earthquake at 40.37°N, 124.32°W (near Cape Mendocino) on 25 April. Although smaller than the 28 June earthquake, its epicenter was only 20-25% as far from the volcanoes. Furthermore, both the 25 April main shock and a M 6.5 aftershock were felt at the volcanic centers, but no felt reports were received from these areas after the 28 June earthquake. Only the Geysers showed any possible triggered events after the 25 April shock. However, background seismicity at the Geysers is higher than at the other centers, and is influenced by fluid injection and withdrawal associated with intensive geothermal development.
Lassen Report. Of the three major Holocene volcanoes in the California Cascades, Lassen (~800 km NNW of the epicenter) had the strongest response to the 28 June earthquake (figure 1). About 10 minutes after the S-wave's arrival and while surface waves were still being recorded, a M 2.8 event occurred south of Lassen Peak. Film records showed 9 more earthquakes in the first hour, and 22 events were identified during the first 24 hours. Although most were M 1 or smaller, at least two and perhaps as many as four were of magnitude greater than or equal to 2. Nine were detected by the RTP system. The best preliminary locations were concentrated ~3 km SW of Lassen Peak at
Information Contacts: Stephen Walter and David Hill, MS 977, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 USA.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Lassen Volcanic Center.
Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.
Seismicity apparently triggered by M 7.5 earthquake hundreds of kilometers away
Southern California's largest earthquake since 1952, M 7.5 on 28 June, appeared to trigger seismicity at several volcanic centers in California. It was centered roughly 200 km E of Los Angeles. In the following, David Hill describes post-earthquake activity at Long Valley caldera, and Stephen Walter discusses the USGS's seismic network, and the changes it detected at Lassen, Shasta, Medicine Lake, and the Geysers.
In recent years, the USGS northern California seismic network has relied upon Real-Time Processors (RTPs) to detect, record, and locate earthquakes. However, a film recorder (develocorder) collects data from 18 stations in volcanic areas, primarily to detect long-period earthquakes missed by RTPs. The film recorders proved useful in counting the post-M 7.5 earthquakes, most of which were too small to trigger the RTPs.
The film record was scanned for the 24 hours after the M 7.5 earthquake, noting the average coda duration for each identified event. Some events may have been missed because of seismogram saturation by the M 7.5 earthquake. Marked increases in microseismicity were observed at Lassen Peak, Medicine Lake caldera, and the Geysers (table 1). No earthquakes were observed at Shasta, but the lack of operating stations on the volcano limited the capability to observe small events.
Date | Lassen | Shasta | Medicine Lake | Geysers | ||||
Codas (seconds) | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 | <= 10 | > 10 |
25 Apr 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
28 Jun 1992 | 8 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 46 | 4 |
Film was also scanned for the 24 hours following the M 7.0 earthquake at 40.37°N, 124.32°W (near Cape Mendocino) on 25 April. Although smaller than the 28 June earthquake, its epicenter was only 20-25% as far from the volcanoes. Furthermore, both the 25 April main shock and a M 6.5 aftershock were felt at the volcanic centers, but no felt reports were received from these areas after the 28 June earthquake. Only the Geysers showed any possible triggered events after the 25 April shock. However, background seismicity at the Geysers is higher than at the other centers, and is influenced by fluid injection and withdrawal associated with intensive geothermal development.
Lassen Report. Of the three major Holocene volcanoes in the California Cascades, Lassen (~800 km NNW of the epicenter) had the strongest response to the 28 June earthquake (figure 1). About 10 minutes after the S-wave's arrival and while surface waves were still being recorded, a M 2.8 event occurred south of Lassen Peak. Film records showed 9 more earthquakes in the first hour, and 22 events were identified during the first 24 hours. Although most were M 1 or smaller, at least two and perhaps as many as four were of magnitude greater than or equal to 2. Nine were detected by the RTP system. The best preliminary locations were concentrated ~3 km SW of Lassen Peak at
Information Contacts: Stephen Walter and David Hill, MS 977, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 USA.
This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Cones |
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Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
Brokeoff Mountain | Stratovolcano | 2815 m | 40° 27' 0" N | 121° 33' 0" W |
Cinder Cone
Black Butte |
Pyroclastic cone | 2105 m | 40° 33' 0" N | 121° 19' 0" W |
Hat Mountain | Cone | 2345 m | 40° 30' 0" N | 121° 25' 0" W |
Prospect Peak | Shield volcano | 2541 m | 40° 34' 0" N | 121° 21' 0" W |
Raker Peak | Cone | 2281 m | 40° 32' 0" N | 121° 28' 0" W |
West Prospect Peak | Shield volcano | 2490 m | 40° 36' 0" N | 121° 23' 0" W |
Craters |
||||
Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
Crescent Crater | Crater | 2635 m | 40° 30' 0" N | 121° 30' 0" W |
Domes |
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Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
Bumpass Mountain | Dome | 2668 m | 40° 28' 0" N | 121° 30' 0" W |
Chaos Crags | Dome | 2592 m | 40° 31' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W |
Eagle Peak | Dome | 2811 m | 40° 29' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W |
Helen, Mount | Dome | |||
Lassen Peak
St. Joseph's, Mount Saint Joseph's, Mount |
Dome | 3187 m | 40° 29' 31" N | 121° 30' 29" W |
Reading Peak | Dome | 2652 m | 40° 28' 0" N | 121° 28' 0" W |
Ski Heil Peak | Dome | 2706 m | 40° 29' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W |
Sunflower Flat | Dome | 2222 m | 40° 33' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W |
Vulcans Castle | Dome | 2570 m | 40° 29' 0" N | 121° 32' 0" W |
Thermal |
||||
Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
Boiling Springs Lake | Hot Spring | 40° 26' 0" N | 121° 24' 0" W | |
Bumpass Hell | Thermal | 2410 m | 40° 28' 0" N | 121° 30' 0" W |
Devils Kitchen | Thermal | 40° 26' 30" N | 121° 26' 0" W | |
Domingo Spring | Hot Spring | 40° 22' 0" N | 121° 21' 0" W | |
Drakesbad | Thermal | 40° 26' 30" N | 121° 25' 0" W | |
Growler Hot Springs | Hot Spring | 40° 23' 30" N | 121° 30' 0" W | |
Little Hot Springs Valley | Hot Spring | 40° 27' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W | |
Morgan Hot Springs | Hot Spring | 40° 23' 0" N | 121° 31' 0" W | |
Sulfur Works | Thermal | 2170 m | 40° 27' 0" N | 121° 32' 0" W |
Terminal Geyser | Geyser | 40° 25' 0" N | 121° 23' 0" W |
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There is data available for 5 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.
1914 May 30 - 1917 Jun 29 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3
Episode 1 | Eruption | Lassen Peak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1914 May 30 - 1917 Jun 29 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 14 Events for Episode 1 at Lassen Peak
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[ 1850 Aug - 1851 ] Discredited Eruption
1666 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3 (?)
Episode 1 | Eruption | Cinder Cone | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1666 (?) - Unknown | Evidence from Sidereal: Dendrochronology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Cinder Cone
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[ 1650 (?) ] Uncertain Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | Chaos Crags | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1650 (?) - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Chaos Crags
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0980 ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | Chaos Crags | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0980 ± 300 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Chaos Crags
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0880 ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | Chaos Crags | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0880 ± 300 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Chaos Crags
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0800 ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | Chaos Crags | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0800 ± 300 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Chaos Crags
|
There is data available for 1 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.
Start Date: 1996 | Stop Date: 2000 | Direction: Subsidence | Method: InSAR |
Magnitude: Unknown | Spatial Extent: 40.00 km | Latitude: Unknown | Longitude: Unknown |
Remarks: Deformation area centered 5 km SE of Lassen Peak |
Reference List: Poland et al. 2004b.
Full References:
Poland, M., G. Bawden, M. Lisowski, and D. Dzurisin, 2004. Newly discovered subsidence at Lassen Peak, southern Cascade Range, California, from InSAR and GPS. Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract G51A-0068.
There is no Emissions History data available for Lassen Volcanic Center.
Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.
The following 58 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.
Catalog Number | Sample Description | Lava Source | Collection Date |
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NMNH 111123-101 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 111123-101 | Quartz Basalt | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-1242 | Basalt | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-1426 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-1449 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 111123-791 | Quartz Basalt | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-792 | Quartz Basalt | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-793 | Pumice | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-794 | Quartz Basalt | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-795 | Quartz Basalt | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-796 | Quartz Basalt | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 111123-82 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-82 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-95 | Tuffaceous Sand | -- | -- |
NMNH 111123-95 | Volcanic Sand | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 111123-96 | Tephra | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 112407 | Andesite-Dacite | LASSEN PEAK | 1 Jan 1970 |
NMNH 113619-4 | Gypsum | -- | -- |
NMNH 113619-5 | Mirabilite | -- | -- |
NMNH 113619-6 | Volcanic Ash | -- | -- |
NMNH 113619-7 | Sulfur | -- | -- |
NMNH 114901 | Volcanic Dust | -- | -- |
NMNH 115559-1 | Andesite-Dacite | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 115559-2 | Andesite-Dacite | LASSEN PEAK | -- |
NMNH 116137-1 | Pumice | -- | -- |
NMNH 116137-2 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 116137-3 | Banded Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 116465 | Andesite-Dacite | -- | 4 Jun 1905 |
NMNH 2072 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 22923 | Volcanic Cinder | -- | -- |
NMNH 22926 | Basalt | -- | -- |
NMNH 38364 | Perlite | -- | -- |
NMNH 38604 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 70589 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 70597 | Dacite | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 70598 | Quartz Basalt | CINDER CONE | -- |
NMNH 91416 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91417 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91419 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91420 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91421 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91422 | Dacite Volcanic Breccia | -- | -- |
NMNH 91425 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91426 | Lava | -- | -- |
NMNH 91430 | Volcanically Scorched Pine Needles | -- | -- |
NMNH 91431 | Volcanic Dust | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-1 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-10 | Basalt | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-11 | Hornblende Andesite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-12 | Alunite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-2 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-3 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-4 | Dacite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-5 | Rhyolite Glass | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-6 | Rhyolite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-7 | Andesite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-8 | Andesite | -- | -- |
NMNH 91433-9 | Alunite Rock | -- | -- |
Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
IRIS seismic stations/networks | Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Lassen Volcanic Center. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations | Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Lassen Volcanic Center. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player. |
DECADE Data | The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO2 to the atmosphere, but installing CO2 monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere. |
Large Eruptions of Lassen Volcanic Center | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |