Crater Lake National Park

A national park in southern Oregon centered on Crater Lake, a deep caldera lake formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama.

Crater Lake: A deep lake in Oregon occupying the caldera left by the collapse of Mount Mazama. The lake is the park’s central feature and gives it its name.
Mount Mazama eruption: A major volcanic eruption about 7,700 years ago that emptied much of Mount Mazama’s magma chamber and triggered summit collapse. The eruption and collapse produced the basin that became the lake.
Klamath people: Indigenous peoples of southern Oregon whose homelands include the region around Crater Lake. Crater Lake holds longstanding cultural and spiritual significance for Klamath people.
Rim Drive: A scenic road that circles much of Crater Lake’s rim within the national park. The route offers access to viewpoints around the caldera.
Mount Mazama: A former Cascade volcano whose summit collapsed after a major eruption about 7,700 years ago. Its collapse created the basin that now holds Crater Lake.
Crater Lake hydrology: The movement and balance of water in Crater Lake, sustained mainly by precipitation and offset by evaporation and seepage. The lake has no surface outlet, so its level depends on this water balance.
William Gladstone Steel: An American conservationist who campaigned for the protection of Crater Lake and helped establish its national park. His decades of advocacy helped secure federal protection for the lake.
Pacific Crest Trail: A long-distance hiking trail running from Mexico to Canada along the western mountain ranges. Its route passes through Crater Lake National Park.
Caldera: A large volcanic depression formed when a volcano’s summit collapses after magma is withdrawn. Crater Lake fills the caldera left by Mount Mazama.
Volcanic cinder cone: A steep-sided volcanic cone built from loose fragments of erupted lava. Wizard Island is a cinder cone formed within the caldera.

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OregonBroader topic: The park is a prominent example of Oregon’s volcanic landscape and protected public lands.