Long Valley Caldera-Mammoth Mountain unrest: The knowns and the unknowns

David P. Hill

doi:10.2113/gselements.13.1.8

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70184251

Long Valley Caldera-Mammoth Mountain unrest: The knowns and the unknowns

David P. Hill

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This perspective is based largely on my study of the Long Valley Caldera (California, USA) over the past 40 years. Here, I’ll examine the “knowns” and the “known unknowns” of the complex tectonic–magmatic system of the Long Valley Caldera volcanic complex. I will also offer a few brief thoughts on the “unknown unknowns” of this system.

Explore related subjects

Elements Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 37.383333° to 37.783333° latitude; -119.116667° to -118.566667° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

David P. Hill. 2017-02-07. Long Valley Caldera-Mammoth Mountain unrest: The knowns and the unknowns. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.13.1.8

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2022

Biomarkers in the Precambrian: Earth’s ancient sedimentary record of life

The hydrocarbon remnants of biologically diagnostic lipids inform our understanding of Earth’s early ecosystems, particularly where morphological vestiges of biology are absent or ambiguous. Yet both the analysis and interpretation of ancient biomarkers require scrutinous approaches. Here, we describe the status quo of Precambrian biomarker geochemistry with four examples that highlight current challenges and opportunities.

Elements↗

USGS2022

The nature of active magma reservoirs and storage underneath Cascade volcanoes

Volcanic activity is dictated by crustal pathways and reservoirs through which magma ascends and collects. The Cascades are a natural laboratory to study the variable influence of the crust on erupted magmas and subterranean reservoirs. The interaction of ascending magmas with the variable subduction geometry and tectonics of the overriding North American plate have given rise to a diversity of magmatic storage conditions. The confluence of geochemical and geophysical investigations emphasizes that most magmatic systems in the Cascades have been built at multiple levels in the crust as determined by tectonics, pre-existing structure, and magmatic flux from the mantle.

British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington↗

USGS2022

Volcano, earthquake, and tsunami hazards of the Cascadia Subduction Zone

Subduction zones produce some of Earth’s most devastating geological events. Recent eruptions of Mount St. Helens and great earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan and Sumatra provide stark examples of the destructive power of subduction-related hazards. In the Cascadia subduction zone, large earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past and geologic records imply that these events will occur in the future. As the population and infrastructure increase in the region, resilience to these natural hazards requires a detailed scientific understanding of the geologic forces and processes involved, combined with a society motivated to mitigate risks.

California, Oregon, Washington↗