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Hiking the Volcanos and Craters of the Eastern Sierras, Oh my!

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egghill
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This has been a summer of exploring Long Valley Caldera (looking for natural hot springs), and traveling to different craters. In the next post, I continue to visit craters in Oregon and Washington.

On the Summer Solstice, I continued my quest for a hot spring. I had found one the week before, see post about ‘Weekend Ramglings‘, but was directed to two others whose mineral content was mostly calcium. I found both, but they were so crowded with people, I didn’t even try to get in. In Long Valley Caldera, the forest service came through many years ago and cemented in real hot tub-like structures. They have hot water piped in from the slimy hot springs, some also have cold water piped in. I went back to the one I’d found while traveling Glass Mountain where obsidian abounds. There were several different people there, two couples, three students from Berkeley, a hermit, and two fishermen. It was a lovely solstice celebration and another great sunset.

Hot Springs (1 of 1)

Above the Caldera, Mammoth Mountain boasts many hot springs, and craters. I attended a geology hike there one morning. I’d been there before, but wanted to hear about the geologic changes that caused the craters first hand.

The lovely green color is caused by glacial melt and minerals.
The lovely green color is caused by minerals. This crater was caused by hot lava hitting the ground water, causing steam to explode and make the crater. There are three small craters in a row here. This one is probably 100′ across.
Panum Crater Obsidian
Panum Crater Obsidian-huge chunks must be left lying.

Panum Crater, created a mere 650 years ago, sits beside Mono Lake (created about the same time as Long Valley Caldera-760,000 years ago). This is an instance of many volcanos located close together (like Long Valley Caldera and Mammoth). A Rhyolitic Plug-Dome Volcano (I don’t pretend to be a geologist, so please open the above link for more information). What happens is that some of the heat of the volcano hits ground water, causing steam, some lava is expelled, cooling instantly, making light lava rock with air holes, but then the volcano is slowed down and the remaining lava cools more slowly, squeezing out the air bubbles and that causes obsidian. In Panum Crater, you can see the blown out sides, but in the middle are domes of rock and obsidian. It was difficult to capture it in a photo.

On the left is the crater wall, the rise on the right is part of the dome. In the far distance is Mono Lake.
On the left is the crater wall, the rise on the right is part of the dome. In the far distance is Mono Lake.
Rock and Obsidian that cooled slowly in the dome.
Rock and Obsidian that cooled slowly in the dome.
This view looks south away from the lake. Three tips of volcanos with blown-off tops are on the left.
This view looks south away from the lake. Three tips of volcanos with blown-off flattened tops are on the left. I traversed the path you see to get back to the parking lot beside the volcano. Another VERY hot day.
These shots of Mono Lake were taken on several different visits to this salty lake that supports brine shrimp and birds.
These shots of Mono Lake were taken on several different visits to this salty lake that supports brine shrimp and birds.
The moon in June was so bright you can see my shadow.
The moon in June was so bright you can see my shadow.
A little light painting with my headlamp.
A little light painting with my headlamp.
Moon shine in black and white.
Moon shine in black and white.
Mars and Venus right next to each other.
Mars and Venus right next to each other (closest to the middle tufa).
These sand tufas were formed by mineral springs on the bottom of the lake bubbling up. Now they are high and dry because of the lake having been drained for Los Angeles (a post for another time).
These sand tufa were formed by fresh water springs on the bottom of the lake bubbling up. Now they are high and dry because of the lake having been drained for Los Angeles (a post for another time). They look like mud dauber wasp nests!

Sand tufa surround Mono Lake where the water level used to be. Salty lake water (carbonates) + freshwater springs (calcium) = Tufa (calcium carbonate).

More sand tufa.
More sand tufa.

Next time, Oregon!

Comments

2 responses to “Hiking the Volcanos and Craters of the Eastern Sierras, Oh my!”

  1. Deborah Drucker Avatar
    Deborah Drucker

    Your description and photos makes me want to go there too. When I was growing up I spent many summers up at Clear Lake at my grandmother’s house. Across the lake is Mount Konocti which is an inactive volcano. http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/clear_lake/clear_lake_geo_hist_38.html Clear Lake is a crater as well. Clear Lake is the largest fresh water lake in California. There were a lot of “volcanic rock” there too, the black glass. And hot springs in surrounding areas. Also in Calistoga and environs like the Old Faithful geyser. So interesting. I think Mount Lassen is another volcanic area.

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    1. egghill Avatar
      egghill

      Practically every area I drove through on my recent drive to Washington was volcanic! And two Crater Lakes (CA and OR) – who knew? Our geography classes as a kid didn’t get specific about that sort of stuff! I am constantly amazed.

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