Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

A protected volcanic landscape in south-central Idaho containing lava fields, cinder cones, caves, and sagebrush steppe. Its young basalt flows preserve a striking record of eruptions along the Great Rift volcanic zone.

Great Rift (Idaho): A volcanic rift zone in south-central Idaho marked by fissures, vents, and aligned volcanic features. The monument’s principal lava fields and cinder cones lie along this volcanic zone.
Fissure eruption: A volcanic eruption in which lava emerges along an elongated crack rather than a single central vent. Eruptions along cracks of the Great Rift produced extensive lava sheets here.
Inferno Cone: A steep cinder cone within Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Its summit offers a clear view across the surrounding volcanic landscape.
Craters of the Moon lava field: A young volcanic field in Idaho formed by eruptions along the Great Rift. Its successive lava flows created the monument’s central volcanic terrain.
Volcanic hazard assessment: The evaluation of potential volcanic threats using geologic evidence and monitoring. The Great Rift’s past eruptions inform assessment of future volcanic activity in the region.
Basalt: A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock formed when low-silica lava cools rapidly. Basalt flows make up much of the monument’s rugged surface.
Pāhoehoe: A basaltic lava flow with a smooth, billowy, or ropy surface. Its supple flows formed many of the monument’s recognizable lava textures.
North Crater Flow: A basaltic lava flow field in Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Its varied flow textures illustrate how lava moved and cooled across the monument.
Holocene volcanism: Volcanic activity that occurred during the Holocene epoch, beginning about 11,700 years ago. Some eruptions in the monument’s volcanic field occurred during the Holocene.
Cave conservation: The protection of cave environments, their formations, and the organisms that depend on them. Managing cave access helps limit damage to fragile lava-tube environments.

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