Twin Buttes
Pyroclastic cone(s) · 1,631m · United States
About Twin Buttes
Twin Buttes is a pyroclastic cone(s) rising to 1,631 meters (5,351 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
Twin Buttes is located in United States, within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 40.78° N, 121.59° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,631 meters above sea level, Twin Buttes 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.
GVP Reference Summary
A group of cinder cones near Pleistocene Burney Mountain volcano, including Twin Buttes to the SE, is part of an area of extensive Quaternary volcanism north of the Lassen volcanic center. Twin Buttes at one time was considered to be Holocene (Miller, 1989), late Pleistocene, or early Holocene, but Clynne et al. (2012) assigned an age of 10,000-15,000 years to Twin Buttes. Blocky, partially unvegetated lava flows extend to the north from North and South Twin Buttes, which are located at the SE foot of the Burney Mountain lava dome complex.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Twin Buttes.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Twin Buttes
Is Twin Buttes an active volcano?+
Twin Buttes 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 Twin Buttes?+
Twin Buttes has a summit elevation of 1,631 meters (5,351 feet) above sea level. At 1,631 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Twin Buttes?+
Twin Buttes is classified as a Pyroclastic cone(s). Pyroclastic cones (or cinder cones) are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built from fragments of lava blasted into the air. They are the simplest type of volcano and often form in groups.
Where is Twin Buttes located?+
Twin Buttes is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 40.777° latitude, -121.591° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Twin Buttes?+
Twin Buttes 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.
