About Washington
Washington is a shield rising to 2,376 meters (7,796 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Washington is located in United States, within the High Cascades Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 44.33° N, 121.84° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 2,376 meters above sea level, Washington rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Washington is an eroded Pleistocene basaltic andesite shield volcano capped by a steep-sided central plug that is the most prominent landmark between North Sister and Three Fingered Jack volcanoes. The Cache Mountain cinder cones lie to the NE, and the Hayrick Butte tuya and the Recent cinder cone Hoodoo Butte to the NW. A series of aligned spatter cones on the NE flank along a regional fissure that extends to about 4 km from the summit erupted about 1300 years ago, but ejecta from this chain is petrographically similar to Blue Lake Crater ejecta and is considered to have erupted at the same time (Sherrod et al., 2004).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Washington.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington
Is Washington an active volcano?+
Washington is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Washington?+
Washington has a summit elevation of 2,376 meters (7,796 feet) above sea level. At 2,376 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Washington?+
Washington is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Washington located?+
Washington 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 44.332° latitude, -121.837° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Washington?+
Washington 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.
