Craters of the Moon, Idaho, USA

By ExploreNow Editor, on March 12th, 2012

Volcano Type:     Cinder cones
Volcano Status:   Radiocarbon
Last Known Eruption:    130 BC ± 50 years
Summit Elevation:    2005 m    6,578 feet
Latitude:    43.42°N *    43°25’0″N
Longitude:    113.50°W    113°30’0″W

Craters of the Moon, the largest lava field of the Snake River Plain, covers about 1600 sq km with more than 60 mappable lava flows erupted from eight fissure systems. About 25 cinder cones up to 250-m high formed primarily along a 45-km-long segment of the Great Rift, the principal 2-8 km wide fissure system that trends NW-SE through Craters of the Moon National Monument. Craters of the Moon lies at the NW part of the eastern Snake River Plain, and the northern part of the field laps up against the White Knob and Pioneer Mountains. The lava field was formed during eight eruptive episodes between about 15,000 and 2000 years ago separated by quiescent periods up to about 3000 years in duration. This contrasts with other Snake River Plain lava fields, which were formed during single eruptive episodes of relatively short duration. A complex assemblage of basaltic volcanic features is found at Craters of the Moon, and cinder cones are common, in contrast to other Snake River Plain lava fields.

Steaming Craters of the Moon

Described as a “weird and scenic landscape”, Craters of the Moon certainly lives up to its reputation. It was established in 1924 to preserve the unique volcanic features of this enormous lava field. The 750,000-acre monument contains a diverse array of volcanic features including volcanic rifts, cinder cones, spatter cones, shield volcanoes and lava tubes (caves). A surprising number of plants and animals have adapted to live in the harsh volcanic and high desert environment. It is an excellent site for hiking, bird watching, photography, backpacking and caving. The monument is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.