Lake County’s landscape is vast, featuring numerous valleys such as Scotts Valley, Big Valley, Guenoc Valley, and more. The county’s architecture includes numerous mountains such as Cobb Mountain, Snow Mountain, Boggs Mountain, Mount Hanna, and of course, its very special mountain that’s also a volcano, Mount Konocti.
With its distinctive peaks, our beloved volcano presents an ever-visible landmark in Lake County. Its location on the south shore of Clear Lake, just east of Kelseyville, gives it a unique presence. Mount Konocti stands at 4,305 feet, making it the second-highest peak in the Clear Lake Volcanic Field. Geology tells us of our planet’s history, stating that this region, the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, is comprised of cinder cones and volcanic domes that range in age from 10,000 to 2.1 million years old. The Geysers steam fields are situated on the Clear Lake Volcanic Field’s southwest margin, and produce electricity for around 850,000 homes. The abundant, prominent features are Lake County’s treasures.
The Mount Konocti lava dome is studied by the United States Geological Survey’s California Volcano Observatory (USGS CalVO). A map of the volcanoes they study can be found here.
The CalVO map lists the volcano’s activity and threats. Since Mount Konocti’s last eruption was about 10,000 years ago, it is considered a high-threat volcano. CalVo keeps an eye out for its sporadic volcanic-type earthquakes and the springs and gas seeps that indicate future eruptions. Along with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), our volcano is monitored by Calpine Corporation’s real-time tracking of earthquake movement.
Mount Konocti is loaded with historic and cultural significance, and is also a County Park in Kelseyville. Mount Konocti’s five distinguishing peaks include Wright Peak, which is 3,489 feet; Howard Peak, at 4,286 feet; South Peak, which is 4,286 feet; Buckingham Peak, 3,967 feet; and Clark Peak, which is 2,880 feet in elevation.
Mount Konocti County Park outside of Kelseyville holds the remnants of a 1903 pioneer cabin where Mary Downen homesteaded. The hearty lady loved the quiet of the volcano along with the magnificent scenery it provided.
Archaeological studies of Mount Konocti have found that Pomo and Wappo Indians resided nearby more than 11,000 years ago; however, the mountain was not inhabited by indigenous people, as it was, and is still considered a sacred site. Stories told by indigenous people mention that specially carved wood pieces were once tossed into a crater on Mount Konocti, and were later found floating in the lake. Mount Konocti played a large part in the native people’s mythologies and religion. In one of the Pomo languages, the word Konocti translates to Mountain Lady. The enormous amount of obsidian created by the volcano was used for thousands of years by indigenous people for projectile points and tools for their own use, as well as for trading.
Our seismically and geothermally active volcanic system is one of life’s amazing mysteries. We can be confident that the CalVo team’s data-gathering of its gas measurements, physical volcanology observations, and fieldwork all combine to keep us informed and safe. We can take pleasure in Mount Konocti, a prominent and proud geographic feature.
