The mountain was created by volcanic activity associated with the transform faults created when the continent spread and the subduction and tension formed the west coast topography. Mammoth mountain is a volcanic dome which explains the softer shape of the peak as opposed to the crater like look of Mt. Saint Helen, which I visited in another post. Like many others, this volcanic mountain was also sculpted by glacial activity. While it is sure that Mammoth is not considered an "active" volcano, there are many vents and warm water areas that are indicative of the continued magma activity. The vents have created some basaltic cinder cones which are located near Mammoth, but are dated much later than Mammoth and thought to be a result of activity related to a dike intrusion in 1989. Because of increased activity since that date, this area is being closely monitored by the USGS.
I would ask for some information on the current and last 50 years of data regarding incidents like gas emissions and uplifts, as well as seismic activity. I believe this is probably what the USGS is using to predict future activity.
The area is a popular ski and resort area, and like so many in the world, has a violent geographic history starting with it's creation.
There is a good map of the records of activity here: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mammoth-mountain/monitoring
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