That's a lot of usable fresh water
dailygalaxy.com
Researchers from the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and the U.S. Forest Service have made a groundbreaking discovery beneath the Cascade Mountain Range—a water reservoir estimated to hold three times the volume of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. The discovery, described as a “continental-size lake” by earth scientist Leif Karlstrom, highlights the untapped potential lying beneath one of North America’s most geologically complex regions.
According to preliminary estimates, the reservoir holds a staggering 81 cubic kilometers of water. This discovery not only triples the capacity of Lake Mead but also represents a crucial natural resource in an era of increasing water scarcity. The Cascade Range, shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity, is a natural reservoir that Karlstrom likens to a massive “water tower” at the top of the mountains.
Scientists Discover Water Reservoir Beneath Cascade Mountains—Three Times the Size of Lake Mead!
Buried beneath the Cascades lies a water reservoir that could change everything we know about natural water reserves. What secrets does it hold, and why is it a race against time to understand it?
dailygalaxy.com
Researchers from the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and the U.S. Forest Service have made a groundbreaking discovery beneath the Cascade Mountain Range—a water reservoir estimated to hold three times the volume of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. The discovery, described as a “continental-size lake” by earth scientist Leif Karlstrom, highlights the untapped potential lying beneath one of North America’s most geologically complex regions.
Water Reservoir: A Treasure Hidden In Volcanic Rock
The reservoir was unearthed during investigations of geothermal drill holes in the Cascades, a range stretching 700 miles from northern California to British Columbia. Researchers found that rocks deep below the surface were wetter than expected, pointing to an enormous aquifer spanning across the range. This natural water storage is held within porous volcanic rocks, a feature unique to this geologically active region.According to preliminary estimates, the reservoir holds a staggering 81 cubic kilometers of water. This discovery not only triples the capacity of Lake Mead but also represents a crucial natural resource in an era of increasing water scarcity. The Cascade Range, shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity, is a natural reservoir that Karlstrom likens to a massive “water tower” at the top of the mountains.
