Editing Long Valley Caldera (section)

===Recent activity===
In May 1980, a strong earthquake swarm that included four [[Richter magnitude]] 6 earthquakes struck the southern margin of the Long Valley Caldera. It was associated with a {{convert|10|in|cm|adj=on}} dome-shaped uplift of the caldera floor.<ref name="usgs">{{USGS | url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-81/#Ataglance |title= Long Valley Caldera at a Glance}}</ref><ref>{{USGS |url= http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-81/Intro/Bibliography/of00-221.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715065934/http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-81/Intro/Bibliography/of00-221.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-15 |url-status=live |title= Bibliography of Literature Pertaining to Long Valley Caldera and Associated Volcanic Fields |first1= John W|last1=Ewert|first2=Christopher J|last2=Harpel|first3=Suzanna K|last3=Brooks}}</ref> These events marked the onset of the latest period of caldera unrest that is ongoing.<ref name="usgs"/> This ongoing unrest includes recurring earthquake swarms and continued dome-shaped uplift of the central section of the caldera accompanied by changes in thermal springs and gas emissions.<ref name="usgs"/> After the quake, a secondary access road was created as a potential escape route for the town of [[Mammoth Lakes, California|Mammoth Lakes]]. Its name at first was proposed as the "Mammoth Escape Route" but was changed to the Mammoth Scenic Loop after Mammoth-area businesses and landowners complained.

In 1982, the [[United States Geological Survey]] under the [[Volcano Hazards Program]] began an intensive effort to monitor and study geologic unrest in Long Valley Caldera.<ref name="usgs"/> The goal is to provide residents and civil authorities with reliable information on the nature of the potential hazards posed by this unrest and timely warning of an impending volcanic eruption, should it develop.<ref name="usgs"/> Most, perhaps all, volcanic eruptions are preceded and accompanied by geophysical and geochemical changes in the volcanic system.<ref name="usgs"/> Common precursory indicators of volcanic activity include increased seismicity, [[Deformation (volcanology)|ground deformation]], and variations in the nature and rate of gas emissions.<ref name="usgs"/>