West Crater Volcano
Updated: May 1, 2025 18:20 GMT -
volcanic field
Washington State (Canada and USA (mainland)), 45.88°N / -122.08°W 
Summit height: 1329 m / 4,360 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
West Crater volcano is a small andesitic lava dome with lava flows in southern Washington, belonging to a volcanic field extending from Marble Mountain, north of Swift Reservoir, to south of Trout Creek Hill. The field consists mainly of small basaltic and basaltic andesite cinder cones and small shield volcanoes, oriented along a NW-SE zone SE of Mount St. Helens.
The most recent activity occurred about 8,000 years ago and formed the West Crater lava dome, a small cone at Hackamore Creek, and a phreatic crater at the summit of Bare Mountain.
The older, basaltic Trout Creek Hill shield volcano erupted a lava flow about 340,000 years ago that traveled 20 km SE and temporarily dammed the Columbia River.
[smaller] [larger]
West Crater volcano eruptions: ca. 8000 years ago
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 01:18 pm (Universal Time) | 1.1 16 km | 26 km (16 mi) to the W | 22 mi northeast of Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, United States | Info | |
West Crater Volcano Photos
Clear view onto the lava lake inside Marum's west crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Lava lake inside Kilauea volcano's West Gap crater. The whole crust covering the lake has just been overturned, exposing the red hot glowing interior. hawaii_e7837 (Photo...
Bright eruption from the central crater and glowing from NE vent (r), and a smaller eruption from the western vent (l). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
The lava lake in Marum's west crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Significant volcanic eruptions: West Crater volcano
No historic eruptions are known from West Crater volcano, but evidence from at least 2 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 West Crater volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of West Crater can be found on the news page of West Crater volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Mountain | 2? | ||||
| West Crater, Hackamore Creek cone | 2? | ||||
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
West Crater Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of West Crater volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of West Crater occurred in 5750 BC.
+When was the largest eruption of West Crater volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of West Crater volcano occurred in 5750 BC. 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
West Crater 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 West Crater volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of West Crater volcano (scale of few kilometers)
