Earthquake Near Mammoth Mountain Volcano

“Earthquakes reported near Mammoth Mountain volcano”

By: Amanda Watts

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/26/us/mammoth-mountain-volcano-earthquakes/index.html?hpt=us_c2

Outbreaks of small earthquakes have been rumbling close to Mammoth Mountain Volcano. The United States Geological Survey has categorized these quakes as “volcanic unrest.” For the past two days, almost three dozen earthquakes ranging from magnitudes of 2.6 to 3.8 have circled that area, which is northeast of Fresno, California. Earthquake groups in that region are not exactly rare, but this one was quite a surprise. A seismologist from California Volcano Observatory, David Shelly, said this group is "bigger than we've seen recently, but normal in the area"(Shelly, 1). In addition, David mentions that they are going to keep an extremely close eye on the movement, although he also mentions, "But in the larger scheme of things, it's within in the range of activity over the last several decades"(Shelly, 1). Mammoth Mountain, also known as the Long Valley Caldera, has been stirring slowly over the last several decades, which is why the seismologists are continuously monitoring it. "We think there is fluid coming up from the crust triggering the earthquakes," said Shelly. So far, the awareness level at the United States Geological Survey, or USGS for short, is still at the green level (which means everything is normal).

The general public should read this article because they should know that there is a slim chance something could happen to Mammoth Mountain Volcano. This news article could help people realize how close these earthquakes are and how strong some of their magnitudes are. I believe the best reason for reading this article would be for the public to start preparing themselves for an earthquake, or earthquakes’, if it were to happen again, God forbid.