Oregon Uncovers World's Largest Hidden Water Vault

In a splashy 2024 discovery, University of Oregon scientists revealed a subterranean aquifer in the Cascade Range holding 81 cubic kilometers of water—tripling Lake Mead’s capacity! Comparable to half of Lake Tahoe, this mega-reservoir could be Oregon’s golden ticket amid climate woes. However, volcanologists worry the water could turn eruptions from simmering to spectacularly explosive. As snowpack dwindles, savvy water management becomes crucial to keeping both our taps and volcanoes in check.