Belknap Volcano
Updated: May 1, 2025 06:34 GMT -
shield volcanoes
Oregon (Canada and USA (mainland)), 44.29°N / -121.84°W 
Summit height: 2095 m / 6,873 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Belknap Crater volcano is located near McKenzie Pass, north of the Three Sisters volcanoes in Central Oregon. It is the center and source of one of the largest number of geologically recent eruptions in the Cascade Range. It was very active between about 3000 and 1500 years ago.
The McKenzie highway 242 crosses the barren lava fields on the SE flank and offers with spectacular views toward Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters volcanoes.
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Belknap volcano eruptions: 400 AD (?), 800 BC ± 300, 1030 BC ± 300 (all radiocarbon dated)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Belknap is a basaltic to basaltic-andesite shield volcano, topped by the Belknap Crater, a cinder cone, and the shield volcano of Little Belknap to the west. Lava flows from these vents have spread to all directions and created an impressive landscape of lava flows. The youngest of these flows traveled 15 km west into the McKenzie River valley.Significant volcanic eruptions: Belknap volcano
No historic eruptions are known from Belknap volcano, but evidence from at least 4 eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Belknap volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Belknap can be found on the news page of Belknap volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belknap Crater | 2? | ||||
| South Belknap and Twin Craters | 2? | ||||
| Little Belknap | ? | ||||
| ? | |||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Belknap Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Belknap volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Belknap occurred around 475 AD.
+When was the largest eruption of Belknap volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Belknap volcano occurred around 475 AD. It only has a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) of , likely because it was a mainly effusive eruption generating lava flows but very little ash.
Latest satellite images
Belknap Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Belknap volcano (scale of few kilometers)
