A team of volcanologists and geologists from Lithium Americas Corporation, GNS Science, and Oregon State University (USA) has identified the McDermitt Caldera, an ancient extinct volcano straddling the Nevada-Oregon border, and its potential to host a portion of the world’s largest lithium deposit. This mineral holds immense industrial value, especially for batteries used in mobile devices and electric vehicles.
In research featured in Science Developments, Thomas Benson, Matthew Coble, and John Dilles studied parts of the caldera and proposed estimates for lithium formation within the region. While the caldera has been known for years, the latest findings quantify the scale of lithium generation there.
In recent decades, lithium has risen to prominence as a critical soft metal due to its role in a broad array of battery technologies. As demand climbs, scientists affiliated with mining firms such as Lithium Americas are actively seeking deposits that can sustain growing production of this essential material.
Lithium remains a focal point for battery production, attracting attention from researchers and agencies involved in the field.
McDermitt Caldera spans roughly 45 kilometers in length and 35 kilometers in width. It is likely the oldest caldera linked to a series formed by the Yellowstone eruption. An initial lava dome arose from eruptions recorded around 19 million years ago, but that dome later collapsed, creating a caldera about 16 million years ago, a crater formed by the aftermath of volcanic activity.
In 2017, a separate research effort presented evidence that a sector of the caldera, named Thacker Pass, could rank among the most significant lithium sources discovered. Lithium Americas secured a license there to begin mining, facing local opposition before the project proceeded, ultimately gaining the right to operate.
Since then, teams have collected and examined samples to pinpoint the most favorable spots for extraction. Experts contend that identifying where lithium formed is key to planning responsible mining. In their study, the researchers outline a theory Lithium Americas intends to apply as they move toward development.
According to this theory, post-eruption hydrothermal processes enriched the caldera region. Deep underground magma circulated toward the center of the caldera, contributing to mineral formation and shaping the surrounding Montana-like mountains. During this period, faults and fractures allowed lithium to migrate toward the surface, while the alteration of clays resulted in lithium-rich minerals along the basin’s southern edge. This sequence is seen as a primary explanation for the unusually high lithium abundance in the area.
Company observers anticipate notable benefits, though local communities continue to voice concerns about environmental impacts and the potential disruption of regional peace as mining progresses.
Reference work: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh8183
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Environmental teams have specific lines of inquiry as they move forward with site assessment and monitoring, aiming to balance resource development with ecological and cultural considerations. The ongoing conversation includes transparent assessment, community engagement, and shared stewardship of the land.
This evolving research contributes to a broader understanding of how lithium forms in caldera environments and how such deposits might be explored responsibly, with an emphasis on scientific validation and environmental safeguards.
Notes on sources and methods are cited to assist readers in locating the foundational studies that underlie these findings. (citation: Science Developments and related studies by researchers at Lithium Americas, GNS Science, and Oregon State University.)