Cascades Volcano Observatory

The David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory is a scientific facility in Vancouver, Washington, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area — and despite its name, it monitors volcanoes rather than the night sky.

About Cascades Volcano Observatory

The observatory is part of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a scientific agency of the US federal government. It is named for USGS volcanologist David A. Johnston, who was killed by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

History

Cascades Volcano Observatory was established in the summer of 1980, in the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens eruption. Its territory originally covered volcanoes across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and northern California; since the California Volcano Observatory was formed in February 2012, Cascade volcanoes in California such as Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak fall under that agency instead.

Telescopes & research

Rather than astronomical instruments, the observatory's work centres on monitoring and researching volcanic activity across the northern Cascade Range, covering Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Vancouver, Washington, within the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.

Visiting Cascades Volcano Observatory

As a USGS scientific research facility, Cascades Volcano Observatory is not a stargazing venue. Check the USGS website for any public information sessions or outreach events before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

Cascades Volcano Observatory's scientists study the earth beneath the Cascades rather than the stars above it, but the same principle of precise coordinates applies to a star named through Star Register. Name a star and get its exact position, or find a dedicated astronomical observatory near you in our observatories directory to view it.