Presenter(s): Hannah Kruse
Faculty Mentor(s): Thomas Giachetti
Poster 40
Session: Sciences
Newberry Volcano is a large quaternary shield-shape volcano that sits 60 km to the east of the Cascade Volcanic Arc. It is the second most voluminous volcano in the Cascades (~500 km3) and has more than 400 satellite vents dotting its flanks, some over 20 km away from the central caldera. Many of these vents sport cinder cones that postdate the last caldera-forming eruption and are most common to the north and south of the caldera, less so to the east and rare to the west, drawing a crescent across the landscape. This is an unusually high number of satellite vents for any volcano to exhibit, and in an unusual geographic pattern. These vents may tell us something unique about the internal structure of Newberry’s magma chamber and plumbing system.
Using geological maps and Digital Elevation Models, my research focuses on gathering and analyzing data that describe the spatial and temporal occurrence, size, volume, and chemical composition of Newberry’s cinder cones to find any relationships that exist between them and the central caldera, other local geologic features, and each other. Newberry provides a unique opportunity in its abundance and preservation of somewhat recent vents to explore these. Newberry is currently designated as a “Very High Threat” by the U.S. Geological Survey. Understanding its architecture and eruptive patterns is therefore essential to hazard assessment, preparedness, and mitigation.