Cascade Range

The Cascade Range is a mountainous region famous for its chain of tall volcanoes called the High Cascades that run north-south along the west coast of North America from British Columbia to the Shasta Cascade area of northern California. The small part of the range in British Columbia is called the Cascade Mountains.

Human uses

Soil conditions for farming are generally excellent, especially downwind of volcanoes. This is largely due to the fact that volcanic rocks are often rich in minerals such as potassium and decay easily. Volcanic debris, especially lahars, also have a leveling effect and the storage of water in the form of snow and ice is also important. Much of that water eventually flows into reservoirs where it is used for recreation before its potential energy is captured to generate hydroelectric power before being used to irrigate crops.

Related Topics:
Soil - Farming - Mineral - Potassium - Lahar - Water - Reservoir - Energy - Hydroelectric power - Irrigate

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In addition, there is a largely untapped amount of geothermal power that can be generated from the Cascades. The USGS Geothermal Research Program has been investigating this potential. Some of this energy is already being used in places like Klamath Falls, Oregon where volcanic steam is used to heat public buildings. The highest recorded temperature found in the range is 510° F (265° C) at 3075 feet (937 m) below Newberry Caldera's floor.

Related Topics:
Geothermal power - USGS - Klamath Falls, Oregon - Steam - Newberry Caldera

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