Major lithium discovery in US supervolcano could reshape global energy supply
Major lithium discovery in US supervolcano could reshape global energy supply
A vast lithium deposit discovered beneath the McDermitt Caldera, a long-dormant supervolcano on the Oregon-Nevada border, could significantly impact the global clean energy market, news website Daily Galaxy reported. Estimated at €413 billion in value, the site—particularly Thacker Pass—contains some of the highest lithium concentrations ever recorded, with samples reaching up to 2.4% by weight.
The lithium-rich illite formed through a rare two-stage geological process involving volcanic activity and hydrothermal fluids over 16 million years ago. Researchers from Columbia University and Lithium Americas Corporation confirmed the findings in Science Advances, citing its potential to outmatch other U.S. deposits.
However, the project faces opposition from Indigenous groups and environmentalists concerned about sacred land disruption and ecological impact. Despite legal challenges, mining has been approved. If fully developed, the deposit could reduce U.S. reliance on foreign lithium sources and boost domestic supply for electric vehicles and battery technologies, supporting the nation’s clean energy transition.
