Just off the San Andreas Fault and Cascadia subduction zone of the west coast lies some of the earth’s most active volcanoes. 18 of those volcanic areas are causing geologists to shake in their boots.
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Of the 18 volcanoes currently listed as a “very high threat,” three are located in California, 4 in Oregon, and 4 more in Washington state. The rest are dispersed between Alaska and Hawaii. Of those, geologists think that Mt Shasta, Lassen Peak, Mt Hood, Crater Lake, Mt Baker, Rainier, and Mt St Helens are all likely to blow their tops in the coming years reports KCRA.
“At least 10 eruptions have taken place in California in the past 1,000 years—most recently at Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park (1914 to 1917) in the northern part of the State—and future volcanic eruptions are inevitable.” – USGS
“More than 50 volcanoes in the United States have erupted one or more times in the past 200 years.” – USGS
Those findings were reached recently in Portland during a meeting of the world’s most reputable volcanic scientists. Known to the scientific world as IAVCEI 2017 Scientific Assembly, the meeting is the first of its kind on USA soil since 1989.
US Volcanoes Likely To Erupt
Washington
- Mt Baker, Rainier, Mt St Helens, Glacier Peak
Oregon
- Mt Hood, Crater Lake, South Sister
California
- Mt Shasta, Lassen Peak, Medicine Lake Volcano, Long Valley Volcanic Region
While there is no way to accurately forecast a volcanic eruption, people living in these areas should have a plan if the worst were to happen. Make sure you have an evacuation plan.
Find the ready.gov plan here: Volcano Evacuation Plan