This webpage was generated automatically. To view the article in its initial location, you may follow the link below:
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/volcanos/scientists-discover-enormous-reservoir-hidden-in-cascades-more-than-twice-the-amount-of-water-in-lake-mead
and if you wish to remove this article from our website, please get in touch with us
An underground reservoir of groundwater that is more than double the volume of Lake Mead is concealed within the Oregon Cascades, according to a recent study.
Researchers discovered that the subterranean aquifer contains a minimum of 19.4 cubic miles (81 cubic kilometers) of water nestled beneath the mountain range’s surface. This revelation could influence both water management and the scientific community’s comprehension of volcanic activities in the area.
“It’s akin to a continental-scale lake stored in the rock formations at the summit of the mountains, resembling a vast water tower,” stated Leif Karlstrom, an Earth scientist at the University of Oregon, explained in a statement. “The existence of comparable large volcanic aquifers north of the Columbia Gorge and in the vicinity of Mount Shasta likely positions the Cascade Range as the most extensive aquifer of its type worldwide.”
The Cascade mountain range stretches approximately 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) from Northern California to British Columbia, Canada, having formed through volcanic events over millions of years. In Oregon, the High Cascades, featuring volcanic rocks dated at 8 million years, boasts gentle slopes and ongoing volcanic activity, while the ancient Western Cascades, which dates back 45 million years, is characterized by canyons and valleys sculpted by flowing streams. The researchers investigated the gradual transition between these two zones to understand how volcanic processes have shaped the area throughout history.
The research, published on January 13 in the journal PNAS, involved measuring the variation in rock temperature within the mountain range relative to depth. Rocks at greater depths typically exhibit higher temperatures due to increased pressure and proximity to the Earth’s hot interior; however, the team identified several locations where the temperature remained stable despite increasing depth. This indicated that the rock was being cooled, which they attributed to water infiltrating the rock.
Related: Undersea volcano off the Oregon coast may erupt this year, geologists anticipate
“Our initial aim was to enhance understanding of the evolution of the Cascade landscape and the movement of water through it,” said Gordon Grant, a hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service, in the statement. “However, in conducting this foundational research, we uncovered significant insights that people find important: the astonishing volume of water actively stored in the Cascades and how the movement of water correlates with the hazards presented by volcanoes.”
Deep-invading water could influence the types of volcanic activity seen in the area. When water contacts magma, it swiftly transforms into steam, which can heighten underground pressure and result in explosive volcanic eruptions.
The water contained within the aquifer might prove to be a valuable resource for human use, though further investigation into the effects of drought and climate change on the reservoir will be crucial for its proper management, the researchers stated.
“This region has been bestowed with a geological treasure, yet we are only beginning to grasp its complexities,” Grant remarked in the statement. “If we experience a lack of snow or endure several bad winters with minimal rainfall, what implications will that have? Those are the crucial questions that we must now concentrate on.”
U.S. volcano quiz
This webpage was generated automatically. To view the article in its initial location, you may follow the link below:
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/volcanos/scientists-discover-enormous-reservoir-hidden-in-cascades-more-than-twice-the-amount-of-water-in-lake-mead
and if you wish to remove this article from our website, please get in touch with us
