USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-CVO-2024-12-18T21:18:02+00:00

Newberry volcano is currently at normal/background levels of activity. Beginning on December 22, 2024, and continuing intermittently for several weeks to months, private exploration company Mazama Energy will conduct geothermal exploration work near Newberry volcano. As their geothermal work proceeds, many small magnitude, non-volcanic earthquakes will occur, which will be detected by the Newberry seismic network. Any increased rates of seismicity will be closely monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and its monitoring partner, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN). The project should not result in any changes to Newberry’s state of activity or potential volcanic hazards. 

Actions by Mazama Energy in late November and early December 2024 generated minor seismic activity that was detected by the Newberry seismic network. During prior geothermal exploration activities at Newberry volcano in 2012 and 2014, hundreds of small earthquakes of magnitude M2.5 or less occurred while a company conducted geothermal work. CVO and PNSN monitoring networks are operating normally and seismologists will be able to differentiate volcanic earthquakes from those caused by geothermal exploration activity. Additional information will be issued as warranted.