Scientists finish mapping floor of Crater Lake
by U. S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program
release August 2000
Using the latest multibeam sidescan sonar technology, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of New Hampshire finished mapping the bottom of Crater Lake, Oregon, in Crater Lake National Park. Learn more about the survey and new images from the Crater Lake Data Clearinghouse and a USGS press release.
The multibeam sidescan sonar mapping began in late July to collect data from more than 50 million soundings. The survey marks the first time that the entire bottom of the lake has been mapped using modern technology. The project is similar to the mapping of the bottom of Lake Tahoe, which the USGS conducted in August 1998. The digital maps of Lake Tahoe revealed a lake floor littered with the debris of ancient landslides and confirmed the presence of an active earthquake fault.
By mapping the floor of Crater Lake, USGS and other scientists hope the new, detailed, bathymetry study will shed light on certain submerged volcanic landforms and may even lead to the discovery of new vents. They also hope to find features that can help tell when the lake filled, relative to eruptions, provide more clues to the early eruptive history of Mount Mazama, and identify earthquake-triggered landslide deposits.
Other pages in this section
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- Changes in rules coming for park: snowmobiles may be banned at Crater Lake – December 18, 2000
- Details of proposed national monument are outlined – December 11, 2000
- Details of proposed national monument are outlined – December 10, 2000
- Paul G. Metzen – December 5, 2000
- Naked lady sculpture at Crater Lake since 1917 – September 28, 2000
- Towns see cash in Crater Park centennial: Upper Rogue Alliance unveils airstrip, byway plans – September 19, 2000
- Obituaries: Lucy Eda Meyer – September 14, 2000
- Cold air heralds arrival of weekend – September 01, 2000
- Alert goes out to fire cadre: all who qualified put on standby for firefighting – August 08, 2000
- Researchers finish Crater Lake map – August 04, 2000
- Lake’s mapping stars on Web site – August 02, 2000
- Crater Lake can’t hide its bottom – July 31, 2000
- Military Saves the Day for Crater Lake Sonar Research – July 29, 2000
- Crater Lake mapping boat gets a lift – July 29, 2000
- Time to rectify: I-5/Highway 62 proposal forced by poor planning in the past – July 28, 2000
- Businesses could fall if freeway exit is realigned: Fixup of Highway 62 depends on I-5 changes – July 25, 2000
- Getting to the bottom of things at Crater Lake – July 21, 2000
- Helicopter at bottom of Crater Lake – June 30th, 2000
- Crater Lake likely to ban snowmobiles: Feds prohibit vehicles in national parks – April 28, 2000
- SOPTV will film Crater Lake, 14 byways – March 29, 2000
- Local Report: Registration available for Crater Lake runs – March 10, 2000
- U.S. Office of Special Counsel announces corrective and disciplinary action settlement – February 23, 2000
- Story of ’52 murders at Crater Lake near finish – January 30, 2000
- Crater Lake copter won’t be retrieved: Effort too risky, park officials say – January 26, 2000
