The Year in Volcanic Activity

theatlantic.com

16 points·howrude··4 comments

Has anyone been following the earthquake swarm near Mina, NV?

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?extent=37.4453,...

They've been having moderate earthquakes for months. The location isn't too far from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Valley_Caldera and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paoha_Island

What are the chances we could see a new volcano form in Western NV in our lifetimes?

There's a theory by James Faulds (NV state Geologist) that the San Andreas is locked and the stress caused by the two adjacent plates have found a new weakpoint. 10-20 years it was widely ridiculed. These days it's gaining mindshare as the evidence from seisometers and GPS are showing compatible data.

All along 395 there is increased earthquake activity, obvious signs of thin crust (like hot springs), and aftershocks that show a network of interconnected faults across the sierras.

Basically it looks like an increasing fraction of the stress from the pacific plate and north american plate movement is in Nevada. Currently around 25% and the theory is that it's increasing over time.

I had the tremendous privilege of seeing the Piton de la Fournaise erupt in the mid-1980s. It was possible to hike right up to the caldera and enjoy the stunning sites of fountains of lava. We stayed through the night to absorb the full spectacle. I also remember the thunderous noise of the eruption. The Piton de la Fournaise is a shield volcano similar to active Hawaiian volcanoes so it is not as dangerous as stratovolcanoes like those in the Philippines or in other parts of the world.

That first photograph is incredible

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