Invisible CO2 gas killing trees at Mammoth Mountain, California

Michael L. Sorey; Christopher D. Farrar; William C. Evans; David P. Hill; Roy A. Bailey; James W. Hendley; Peter H. Stauffer

doi:10.3133/fs17296_1996

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Invisible CO2 gas killing trees at Mammoth Mountain, California

Michael L. Sorey·Christopher D. Farrar·William C. Evans·David P. Hill·Roy A. Bailey·James W. Hendley·Peter H. Stauffer

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Abstract

Since 1980, scientists have monitored geologic unrest in Long Valley Caldera and at adjacent Mammoth Mountain, California. After a persistent swarm of earthquakes beneath Mammoth Mountain in 1989, earth scientists discovered that large volumes of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas were seeping from beneath this volcano. This gas is killing trees on the mountain and also can be a danger to people. The USGS continues to study the CO 2 emissions to help protect the public from this invisible potential hazard.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 37.5293° to 37.8499° latitude; -119.2113° to -118.6482° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Michael L. Sorey, Christopher D. Farrar, William C. Evans, David P. Hill, Roy A. Bailey, James W. Hendley, Peter H. Stauffer. 1996. Invisible CO2 gas killing trees at Mammoth Mountain, California. https://doi.org/10.3133/fs17296_1996

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