The David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) is located in Vancouver, Washington. The Observatory is dedicated to our colleague, David Johnston, who was killed on May 18, 1980, at Mount St Helens. Visible from CVO and located about 70 km north-northeast is Mount St. Helens volcano. The Geologic Division, National Mapping Division, and Water Resources Division of the US Geological Survey (USGS) share the facilities at CVO.
The primary duties of the Observatory are to monitor activity associated with Mount St. Helens, and to conduct geologic, hydrologic and geophysical studies related to understanding of processes and assessment of hazards at potentially active volcanoes of Washington, Oregon, and California. The Geophysics Program of the University of Washington (UW) provides continuous seismic monitoring of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon, and the USGS Branch of Seismology in Menlo Park, California, provides continuous seismic monitoring of the Cascade Range in northern California. Related projects beyond the limits of Washington, Oregon, and California include: crustal-strain studies at Yellowstone caldera, Wyoming; collaboration with the Alaskan Volcano Observatory in monitoring volcanoes of the Cook Inlet region; and continuing international volcanic-hazard-mitigation effort by the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP).
CVO uses numerous programs and methods to monitor Cascade volcanoes.
Rainier is a Decade Volcano under a project which began as part of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
Contact information:
David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory United States Geological Survey 5400 MacArthur Blvd. Vancouver, Washington 98661 USA Telephone: (1) 206 696 7693 Telefax: (1) 206 696 7866 GEOLOGIC DIVISION: Scientist in charge: Edward W. Wolfe
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