#MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SERIES#

The most likely sources of the CO 2 are degassing of intruded magma and gas release from limestone-rich metasedimentary rocks that are heated by magmatic intrusions. As of 2003, the concentration of carbon dioxide in soil gas at Mammoth Mountain is being monitored on a continuous, year-round basis at four sites-three at Horseshoe Lake and one near the base of Chair 19 at the ski area. Researchers also determined that Mammoth releases about 1,300 short tons (1,200 t) of CO 2 every day. This overabundance of CO 2 was found to be the cause of the tree-kills because tree roots need to absorb O 2 directly and the high CO 2 level reduced available O 2. CO 2 concentrations of less than 1% are typical and healthy in most soils however, soil concentrations of CO 2 in the tree-kill areas ranged from 20% to 90%. Measurements around the lake found that restrooms and tents had a greater than 1% CO 2 concentration (toxic) and a deadly 25% concentration of CO 2 in a small cabin. Overabundance of carbon dioxide in the soil from a natural underground volcanic source has killed a large area of trees Forest Service Ranger became ill with suffocation symptoms after being in a snow-covered cabin near Horseshoe Lake. However, neither idea explained why all trees in the affected areas were killed regardless of age or health. Another idea was that the kills were the result of a pathogen or other biological infestation. The tree-kills originally were attributed to a severe drought that affected California in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This high concentration causes trees to die in six regions that total about 170 acres (0.69 km 2) in size (see photo). Measurements of the total discharge of carbon dioxide gas at the Horseshoe Lake tree-kill area range from 50 to 150 short tons (45 to 140 t) per day.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the ground ranges from 20 to 90 percent CO 2. Mammoth is outgassing large amounts of carbon dioxide out of its south flank, near Horseshoe Lake, causing mazuku in that area. Mammoth Mountain is composed primarily of dacite and rhyolite, part of which has been altered by hydrothermal activity from fumaroles (steam vents). The magma source for Mammoth Mountain is distinct from those of both the Long Valley Caldera and the Inyo Craters. Mammoth Mountain also lies on the south end of the Mono-Inyo chain of volcanic craters.

The volcano is still active with minor eruptions, the largest of which was a minor phreatic (steam) eruption 700 years ago. During this time, massive dacite eruptions occurred roughly every 5000 years.

#MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SERIES#

These domes formed in a long series of eruptions from 110,000 to 57,000 years ago, building a volcano that reaches 11,059 feet (3,371 m) in elevation. It lies in the southwestern corner of the Long Valley Caldera and consists of about 12 rhyodacite and dacite overlapping domes. Mammoth Mountain is a lava dome complex in Mono County, California. Mammoth still produces hazardous volcanic gases that kill trees. Mammoth Mountain was formed in a series of eruptions that ended 57,000 years ago. It is home to a large ski area primarily on the Mono County side. Mammoth Mountain is a lava dome complex partially located within the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, in the Inyo National Forest of Madera and Mono Counties. Mammoth Mountain (the United States) Show map of the United States

Mammoth mountain