Scientists Discover Massive Aquifer Beneath Oregon's Cascade Range

The newly mapped aquifer, one of the largest of its kind, holds over 19 cubic miles of water and raises questions about water resources and volcanic hazards.

Researchers identified an enormous aquifer beneath the central Oregon Cascades, with an estimated volume of at least 19.43 cubic miles, surpassing previous estimates.
The aquifer is described as a 'continental-size lake' stored within volcanic rocks, potentially making the Cascade Range the largest volcanic aquifer in the world.
The discovery highlights the dual significance of the aquifer as a vital water resource and a factor that could intensify volcanic hazards in the region.
The aquifer's water supply is primarily replenished by snowpack, which is projected to decline due to climate change, raising concerns about its long-term sustainability.
The findings, published in the journal PNAS, were based on temperature measurements from previous drilling, suggesting the aquifer's true size may be even larger than current estimates.