About Indian Heaven
Indian Heaven is a volcanic field rising to 1,806 meters (5,925 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 6250 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Indian Heaven is located in United States, within the High Cascades Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 45.93° N, 121.82° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,806 meters above sea level, Indian Heaven is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Indian Heaven sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in United States near Indian Heaven, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Indian Heaven has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 6250 BCE to 6250 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Pleistocene-to-Holocene Indian Heaven volcanic field, located midway between St. Helens and Adams, is an area of low overlapping shield volcanoes with flank vents primarily oriented N-S. Small shield volcanoes topped by cinder and spatter cones dominate the field, which also contains subglacial vents. The shield volcanoes extend from Sawtooth Mountain on the north to Red Mountain on the south; the high point of the field is Lemei Rock shield volcano. Basaltic-to-andesitic lava flows cover much of the field; individual lava flows, many with extensive lava tubes, traveled up to 46 km. The youngest eruption, about 8,200 years ago, produced the voluminous Big Lava Bed, a 0.9 km3 basaltic lava flow that traveled nearly 25 km S of its source from an unnamed cinder cone SE of Red Mountain, to within 8 km of the Columbia River.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6250 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Big Lava Bed |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Heaven
Is Indian Heaven an active volcano?+
Indian Heaven is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 6250 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Indian Heaven last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Indian Heaven occurred in 6250 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Indian Heaven has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Indian Heaven?+
Indian Heaven has a summit elevation of 1,806 meters (5,925 feet) above sea level. At 1,806 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Indian Heaven?+
Indian Heaven is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Indian Heaven located?+
Indian Heaven is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the High Cascades Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 45.930° latitude, -121.820° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Indian Heaven?+
Indian Heaven can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. United States may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
