Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Oregon’s Cascade Range mountains, finding an aquifer that is significantly larger than previously estimated. The study, led by Leif Karlstrom from the University of Oregon, reveals an abundance of water stored beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Oregon Cascades, with a volume of at least 81 cubic kilometers.
This massive aquifer is comparable in size to Lake Mead and Lake Tahoe, and has significant implications for understanding water availability in the region. Climate change is reducing snowpack, intensifying drought, and straining limited resources, making this discovery particularly urgent.
The team’s research used advanced drilling techniques to map the volume of the aquifer, which is largely replenished by snow. However, with snowpack expected to decrease in the coming decades, the long-term sustainability of this resource is uncertain. The study highlights the need for further research and careful stewardship of this limited resource.
The discovery also sheds light on volcanic hazards in the area, as magma interacting with large amounts of water can lead to explosive eruptions. This finding has significant regional implications, particularly for Oregonians who rely heavily on water from the Cascades.
Source: https://news.uoregon.edu/content/atop-oregon-cascades-uo-team-finds-huge-buried-aquifer