Mount Hood | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mount-hood
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
Mount Hood | U.S. Geological Survey
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Mount Hood
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Mount Hood
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Mount Hood volcano, Oregon's highest peak, forms a prominent backdrop to the state's largest city, Portland, and contributes valuable water, scenic, and recreational resources that help sustain the agricultural and tourist segments of the economies of surrounding cities and counties.
Quick Facts
Location:
Oregon, Clackamas/Hood River Counties
Latitude:
45.374° N
Longitude:
121.695° W
Elevation:
3,426 (m) 11,240 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Andesite to Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1865 AD
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Mount Hood has erupted episodically for about 500,000 years and hosted two major eruptive periods during the past 1,500 years. During both recent eruptive periods, growing lava domes high on the southwest flank collapsed repeatedly to form pyroclastic
flows and lahars that were distributed primarily to the south and west along the Sandy River and its tributaries. The last eruptive period began in AD 1781 and affected the White River as well as Sandy River valleys. The Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the mouth of the Sandy River in 1805 and 1806 and described a river much different from today's Sandy. At that time the river was choked with sediment generated by erosion of the deposits from the eruption, which had stopped about a decade before their visit. In the mid-1800's, local residents reported minor explosive activity, but since that time the volcano has been quiet.
Monitoring stations detect small magnitude earthquakes at Mount Hood (December 8-13, 2023)
December 14, 2023
Monitoring stations detect small magnitude earthquakes at Mount Hood (December 8-13, 2023)
Mount Hood's June 5, 2021 Earthquake
June 11, 2021
Mount Hood's June 5, 2021 Earthquake
M3.9 earthquake and swarm occur at Mount Hood on June 5, 2021
June 5, 2021
M3.9 earthquake and swarm occur at Mount Hood on June 5, 2021
View All
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
August 29, 2018
Geologic field-trip guide of volcaniclastic sediments from snow- and ice-capped volcanoes—Mount St. Helens, Washington, and Mount Hood, Oregon
Geologic field-trip guide of volcaniclastic sediments from snow- and ice-capped volcanoes—Mount St. Helens, Washington, and Mount Hood, Oregon
This field guide for the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly 2017 focuses on volcaniclastic sediments from Mount St. Helens in Washington and Mount Hood in Oregon. The trip spends four days in the field and includes nine stops at each volcano. For completeness, this guidebook also includes sixteen optional stops in...
Authors
Thomas C. Pierson, Lee Siebert, Christopher J. Harpel, Kevin M. Scott
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Mount Hood
June 22, 2017
Field-trip guide to Mount Hood, Oregon, highlighting eruptive history and hazards
Field-trip guide to Mount Hood, Oregon, highlighting eruptive history and hazards
This guidebook describes stops of interest for a geological field trip around Mount Hood volcano. It was developed for the 2017 International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly in Portland, Oregon. The intent of this guidebook and accompanying contributions is to provide an overview of Mount Hood, including its chief geologic...
Authors
William E. Scott, Cynthia A. Gardner
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Mount Hood
View All
November 8, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
Mount Hood is an active volcano close to rapidly growing communities, recreation areas, and major transportation routes and therefore imposes heightened risk.
By
Mount Hood
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
November 8, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
Mount Hood is an active volcano close to rapidly growing communities, recreation areas, and major transportation routes and therefore imposes heightened risk.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood seismicity is monitored by the PNSN and CVO via a regional network that includes 5 seismic stations within 12 miles of the volcano.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Hood
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood seismicity is monitored by the PNSN and CVO via a regional network that includes 5 seismic stations within 12 miles of the volcano.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
Lahars can be generated by hot volcanic flows that melt snow and ice or by landslides (debris avalanches) from weakened rock forming the steep upper flanks of the volcano.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Hood
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
November 7, 2023
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
Lahars can be generated by hot volcanic flows that melt snow and ice or by landslides (debris avalanches) from weakened rock forming the steep upper flanks of the volcano.
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
Oregon, Clackamas/Hood River Counties
Latitude:
45.374° N
Longitude:
121.695° W
Elevation:
3,426 (m) 11,240 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Andesite to Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1865 AD
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Mount Hood
Find U.S. Volcano
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
Results
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Settings
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
x
Map Legend
x
Map Legend
Results
Mount Hood
Home
Science
Maps
Multimedia
Publications
News
Connect
Mount Hood volcano, Oregon's highest peak, forms a prominent backdrop to the state's largest city, Portland, and contributes valuable water, scenic, and recreational resources that help sustain the agricultural and tourist segments of the economies of surrounding cities and counties.
Quick Facts
Location:
Oregon, Clackamas/Hood River Counties
Latitude:
45.374° N
Longitude:
121.695° W
Elevation:
3,426 (m) 11,240 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Andesite to Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1865 AD
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Mount Hood has erupted episodically for about 500,000 years and hosted two major eruptive periods during the past 1,500 years. During both recent eruptive periods, growing lava domes high on the southwest flank collapsed repeatedly to form pyroclastic
flows and lahars that were distributed primarily to the south and west along the Sandy River and its tributaries. The last eruptive period began in AD 1781 and affected the White River as well as Sandy River valleys. The Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the mouth of the Sandy River in 1805 and 1806 and described a river much different from today's Sandy. At that time the river was choked with sediment generated by erosion of the deposits from the eruption, which had stopped about a decade before their visit. In the mid-1800's, local residents reported minor explosive activity, but since that time the volcano has been quiet.
Monitoring stations detect small magnitude earthquakes at Mount Hood (December 8-13, 2023)
December 14, 2023
Monitoring stations detect small magnitude earthquakes at Mount Hood (December 8-13, 2023)
Mount Hood's June 5, 2021 Earthquake
June 11, 2021
Mount Hood's June 5, 2021 Earthquake
M3.9 earthquake and swarm occur at Mount Hood on June 5, 2021
June 5, 2021
M3.9 earthquake and swarm occur at Mount Hood on June 5, 2021
View All
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
August 29, 2018
Geologic field-trip guide of volcaniclastic sediments from snow- and ice-capped volcanoes—Mount St. Helens, Washington, and Mount Hood, Oregon
Geologic field-trip guide of volcaniclastic sediments from snow- and ice-capped volcanoes—Mount St. Helens, Washington, and Mount Hood, Oregon
This field guide for the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly 2017 focuses on volcaniclastic sediments from Mount St. Helens in Washington and Mount Hood in Oregon. The trip spends four days in the field and includes nine stops at each volcano. For completeness, this guidebook also includes sixteen optional stops in...
Authors
Thomas C. Pierson, Lee Siebert, Christopher J. Harpel, Kevin M. Scott
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Mount Hood
June 22, 2017
Field-trip guide to Mount Hood, Oregon, highlighting eruptive history and hazards
Field-trip guide to Mount Hood, Oregon, highlighting eruptive history and hazards
This guidebook describes stops of interest for a geological field trip around Mount Hood volcano. It was developed for the 2017 International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly in Portland, Oregon. The intent of this guidebook and accompanying contributions is to provide an overview of Mount Hood, including its chief geologic...
Authors
William E. Scott, Cynthia A. Gardner
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Mount Hood
View All
November 8, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
Mount Hood is an active volcano close to rapidly growing communities, recreation areas, and major transportation routes and therefore imposes heightened risk.
By
Mount Hood
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
November 8, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Hood
Mount Hood is an active volcano close to rapidly growing communities, recreation areas, and major transportation routes and therefore imposes heightened risk.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood seismicity is monitored by the PNSN and CVO via a regional network that includes 5 seismic stations within 12 miles of the volcano.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Hood
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood seismicity is monitored by the PNSN and CVO via a regional network that includes 5 seismic stations within 12 miles of the volcano.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
Lahars can be generated by hot volcanic flows that melt snow and ice or by landslides (debris avalanches) from weakened rock forming the steep upper flanks of the volcano.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Hood
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
November 7, 2023
Lahars Pose the Greatest Hazard Risk at Mount Hood
Lahars can be generated by hot volcanic flows that melt snow and ice or by landslides (debris avalanches) from weakened rock forming the steep upper flanks of the volcano.
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
Oregon, Clackamas/Hood River Counties
Latitude:
45.374° N
Longitude:
121.695° W
Elevation:
3,426 (m) 11,240 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
Andesite to Dacite
Most recent eruption:
1865 AD
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?