Craters of the Moon National Monument
Saturday, June 13, 1998

Craters of the Moon began forming about 15,000 years ago, when a hot spot in the earth's magma under this area caused some big explosions. It was almost like the earth was throwing up (thanks, Harrison). The eruptions continued about every 2,000 years, creating layer upon layer of lava flows that cover about 628 square miles. Scientists think that these eruptions will continue. The last eruption was about 2,000 years ago.

Amanda learned the names of different types of lava. There are AA (pronounced ah-ah), Pahoehoe (pronounced Pah-hoy-hoy), Block Lava, Lava Tubes, Spatter Cones, Cinder Cones.

Here we are walking up a spatter cone volcano. Inside one of them there was a huge hole with snow.

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This picture shows the movement of the magma hot spot under the earth's crust. The ring at the far end is the oldest (16 million years old). It has moved about two inches per year (about the rate that your finger nails grow. Thank's Harrison). The hot spot is now under Yellowstone.

Here we are climbing down into Indian Tunnel. It is an empty lava tube. There are lots of lava tubes in this area.

Brenden and Amanda are inside a small lava tube. They called it Kitty Cave.

We climbed down into Boy Scout Cave. It was very dark and scary, according to Amanda, but she handled it. Brenden was an undeterred spelunker.

Resources
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Links
Books

The Landscapes of Craters of the Moon National Monument : An Evaluation of Environmental Changes by R. Gerald Wright, Stephen C. Bunting
Learn more about the geologic history of this unusual landscape, and see some fascinating photographs both old and new.

More Reiser Family Field Trips

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