Mount Shasta | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mount-shasta
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Mount Shasta | U.S. Geological Survey
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Mount Shasta
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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.
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Mount Shasta
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Mount Shasta is a majestic, steep-sided stratovolcano located about 97 km (60 mi) north of Redding along the I-5 corridor in Northern California. It is the most voluminous of all the Cascade Range volcanoes, and the towns of Weed, Mt. Shasta City, and McCloud lie in the shadow of its 4,317 m (14,163 ft) high snow- and ice-clad edifice.
Quick Facts
Location:
California, Siskiyou County
Latitude:
41.409° N
Longitude:
122.193° W
Elevation:
4,317 (m) 14,163 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
andesite, dacite
Most recent eruption:
~3,200 years ago
Nearby towns:
Weed, Mount Shasta, Edgewood, Dunsmuir
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Mount Shasta began forming on the remnants of an older, similar volcano that collapsed 300,000 to 500,000 years ago. The collapse spawned one of the largest landslides known on Earth, covering more than 440 km
2
(170 mi
2
) of Shasta Valley to the northeast. Activity over the last 300,000 years includes long intervals of quiet interrupted by shorter spans of frequent eruptions. Eruptions at about 11,000 years ago built Black Butte and Shastina on the western flanks of Mount Shasta. In the last few millennia, smaller eruptions have broken out at the volcano’s summit and from vents on its upper east flank. The youngest dated eruption occurred about 3,200 years ago, producing block and ash flows on the volcano's north flank. Hot springs and volcanic gases seep from the summit indicating a relatively young and still-hot system. Non-volcanic shedding of young volcanic rock and ash from Mount Shasta’s steep slopes occurs during heavy rainfall or glacial floods. In the last 1,000 years, more than 70 mudflows have inundated stream channels. The record of eruptions over the last 10,000 years suggests that, on average, at least one eruption occurs every 800 to 600 years at Mount Shasta. USGS and UNAVCO seismic and geodetic networks provide real-time volcano monitoring data. Earthquake activity has been low for the last few decades and ground deformation is negligible.
Mount Shasta's spectacular lenticular clouds
December 3, 2025
Mount Shasta's spectacular lenticular clouds
Water and debris are a recipe for lahars at California’s volcanoes
August 19, 2025
Water and debris are a recipe for lahars at California’s volcanoes
How tall are you really? Establishing Mount Shasta's summit elevation in the 20th century
April 16, 2024
How tall are you really? Establishing Mount Shasta's summit elevation in the 20th century
View All
February 25, 2019
California’s exposure to volcanic hazards
California’s exposure to volcanic hazards
The potential for damaging earthquakes, landslides, floods, tsunamis, and wildfires is widely recognized in California. The same cannot be said for volcanic eruptions, despite the fact that they occur in the state about as frequently as the largest earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. At least ten eruptions have taken place in the past 1,000 years, and future volcanic eruptions are...
Authors
Margaret Mangan, Jessica Ball, Nathan Wood, Jamie L. Jones, Jeff Peters, Nina Abdollahian, Laura Dinitz, Sharon Blankenheim, Johanna Fenton, Cynthia Pridmore
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
California Volcano Observatory
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Shasta
,
Salton Buttes
,
Soda Lakes
,
Ubehebe Craters
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
December 10, 2014
The California Volcano Observatory: Monitoring the state's restless volcanoes
The California Volcano Observatory: Monitoring the state's restless volcanoes
Volcanic eruptions happen in the State of California about as frequently as the largest earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault Zone. At least 10 eruptions have taken place in California in the past 1,000 years—most recently at Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park (1914 to 1917) in the northern part of the State—and future volcanic eruptions are inevitable. The U.S. Geological...
Authors
Wendy K. Stovall, Mae Marcaida, Margaret T. Mangan
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area
,
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Shasta
,
Salton Buttes
,
Soda Lakes
,
Ubehebe Craters
View All
November 13, 2023
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
There are currently nine GPS receivers that make up the USGS and UNAVCO geodetic network at Mount Shasta.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
November 13, 2023
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
There are currently nine GPS receivers that make up the USGS and UNAVCO geodetic network at Mount Shasta.
Learn More
November 13, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
Future eruptions like those of the last 10,000 years will probably produce deposits of ash, lava flows, domes, and pyroclastic flows, and could endanger infrastructure that lie within several tens of kilometers of the volcano.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
November 13, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
Future eruptions like those of the last 10,000 years will probably produce deposits of ash, lava flows, domes, and pyroclastic flows, and could endanger infrastructure that lie within several tens of kilometers of the volcano.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
The USGS and UNAVCO seismic network contains 12 seismometers and provide real-time volcano monitoring data.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
The USGS and UNAVCO seismic network contains 12 seismometers and provide real-time volcano monitoring data.
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
California, Siskiyou County
Latitude:
41.409° N
Longitude:
122.193° W
Elevation:
4,317 (m) 14,163 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
andesite, dacite
Most recent eruption:
~3,200 years ago
Nearby towns:
Weed, Mount Shasta, Edgewood, Dunsmuir
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 Shasta
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 Shasta
Home
Science
Data
Multimedia
Publications
News
Connect
Mount Shasta is a majestic, steep-sided stratovolcano located about 97 km (60 mi) north of Redding along the I-5 corridor in Northern California. It is the most voluminous of all the Cascade Range volcanoes, and the towns of Weed, Mt. Shasta City, and McCloud lie in the shadow of its 4,317 m (14,163 ft) high snow- and ice-clad edifice.
Quick Facts
Location:
California, Siskiyou County
Latitude:
41.409° N
Longitude:
122.193° W
Elevation:
4,317 (m) 14,163 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
andesite, dacite
Most recent eruption:
~3,200 years ago
Nearby towns:
Weed, Mount Shasta, Edgewood, Dunsmuir
Threat Potential:
Very High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Mount Shasta began forming on the remnants of an older, similar volcano that collapsed 300,000 to 500,000 years ago. The collapse spawned one of the largest landslides known on Earth, covering more than 440 km
2
(170 mi
2
) of Shasta Valley to the northeast. Activity over the last 300,000 years includes long intervals of quiet interrupted by shorter spans of frequent eruptions. Eruptions at about 11,000 years ago built Black Butte and Shastina on the western flanks of Mount Shasta. In the last few millennia, smaller eruptions have broken out at the volcano’s summit and from vents on its upper east flank. The youngest dated eruption occurred about 3,200 years ago, producing block and ash flows on the volcano's north flank. Hot springs and volcanic gases seep from the summit indicating a relatively young and still-hot system. Non-volcanic shedding of young volcanic rock and ash from Mount Shasta’s steep slopes occurs during heavy rainfall or glacial floods. In the last 1,000 years, more than 70 mudflows have inundated stream channels. The record of eruptions over the last 10,000 years suggests that, on average, at least one eruption occurs every 800 to 600 years at Mount Shasta. USGS and UNAVCO seismic and geodetic networks provide real-time volcano monitoring data. Earthquake activity has been low for the last few decades and ground deformation is negligible.
Mount Shasta's spectacular lenticular clouds
December 3, 2025
Mount Shasta's spectacular lenticular clouds
Water and debris are a recipe for lahars at California’s volcanoes
August 19, 2025
Water and debris are a recipe for lahars at California’s volcanoes
How tall are you really? Establishing Mount Shasta's summit elevation in the 20th century
April 16, 2024
How tall are you really? Establishing Mount Shasta's summit elevation in the 20th century
View All
February 25, 2019
California’s exposure to volcanic hazards
California’s exposure to volcanic hazards
The potential for damaging earthquakes, landslides, floods, tsunamis, and wildfires is widely recognized in California. The same cannot be said for volcanic eruptions, despite the fact that they occur in the state about as frequently as the largest earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault. At least ten eruptions have taken place in the past 1,000 years, and future volcanic eruptions are...
Authors
Margaret Mangan, Jessica Ball, Nathan Wood, Jamie L. Jones, Jeff Peters, Nina Abdollahian, Laura Dinitz, Sharon Blankenheim, Johanna Fenton, Cynthia Pridmore
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
California Volcano Observatory
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Shasta
,
Salton Buttes
,
Soda Lakes
,
Ubehebe Craters
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
December 10, 2014
The California Volcano Observatory: Monitoring the state's restless volcanoes
The California Volcano Observatory: Monitoring the state's restless volcanoes
Volcanic eruptions happen in the State of California about as frequently as the largest earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault Zone. At least 10 eruptions have taken place in California in the past 1,000 years—most recently at Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park (1914 to 1917) in the northern part of the State—and future volcanic eruptions are inevitable. The U.S. Geological...
Authors
Wendy K. Stovall, Mae Marcaida, Margaret T. Mangan
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area
,
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Shasta
,
Salton Buttes
,
Soda Lakes
,
Ubehebe Craters
View All
November 13, 2023
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
There are currently nine GPS receivers that make up the USGS and UNAVCO geodetic network at Mount Shasta.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
November 13, 2023
Deformation Monitoring at Mount Shasta
There are currently nine GPS receivers that make up the USGS and UNAVCO geodetic network at Mount Shasta.
Learn More
November 13, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
Future eruptions like those of the last 10,000 years will probably produce deposits of ash, lava flows, domes, and pyroclastic flows, and could endanger infrastructure that lie within several tens of kilometers of the volcano.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
November 13, 2023
Hazards Summary for Mount Shasta
Future eruptions like those of the last 10,000 years will probably produce deposits of ash, lava flows, domes, and pyroclastic flows, and could endanger infrastructure that lie within several tens of kilometers of the volcano.
Learn More
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
The USGS and UNAVCO seismic network contains 12 seismometers and provide real-time volcano monitoring data.
By
California Volcano Observatory
,
Mount Shasta
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
November 7, 2023
Seismic Monitoring at Mount Shasta
The USGS and UNAVCO seismic network contains 12 seismometers and provide real-time volcano monitoring data.
Learn More
View All
Quick Facts
Location:
California, Siskiyou County
Latitude:
41.409° N
Longitude:
122.193° W
Elevation:
4,317 (m) 14,163 (f)
Volcano type:
Stratovolcano
Composition:
andesite, dacite
Most recent eruption:
~3,200 years ago
Nearby towns:
Weed, Mount Shasta, Edgewood, Dunsmuir
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?