Scientists have recorded a significant uptick in earthquakes at the Mount Adams volcano — the largest active volcano in Washington state.
Six earthquakes hit the “high threat” volcano in September, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which is a drastic increase from the normal rate of one earthquake at the volcano every two to three years.
This is the largest number of earthquakes recorded at Mount Adams in a single month since records began in 1982. The earthquakes ranged from magnitudes 0.9 to 2 and were recorded via a single seismic station 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of Mount Adams’ summit. None of the ground shakes were felt at the surface.
According to experts, these earthquakes do not mean an eruption is imminent. “Currently, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is cause for concern,” USGS representatives wrote in a statement .
Efforts are underway to better understand what’s happening beneath the volcano. Scientists with the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) will install a set of temporary seismic stations in the area to get a better understanding of the size, location and depth of the seismic activity, according to the statement.