Volcanism and a Cinder Cone

Follow the Water Stop 7 of 13 (Site 7c)

Volcanism and a Cinder Cone: This is nice look at a cinder cone just upstream of Fossil Falls. Cinder cones only erupt once, so you are in no danger! However, the "Coso Volcanic Field" is one of the locations where volcanic activity might occur. Basalt lava associted with this cinder cone erupted about 50,000 years ago, based on the study of rock varnish microlaminations.

The drive from Owens Playa to Mono Lake on Highway 395 passes four major volcanic centers: this site and the Coso Volcanic Field, the Big Pine Volcanic Field, the Long Valley Caldera, and the Mono-Inyo Craters.

Long Valley Caldera was one of the largest eruptions in the past 100 million years and erupted just 100 miles up the road. Hot springs litter the area and volcanic gases pour from the ground. The area is actively monitored for volcanic hazards Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski resort on the edge of the Long Valley Caldera, experiences earthquakes and emissions of carbon dioxide. In fact, Mammoth Mountain itself is a volcano that resulted from a major emergence of new lava in this area of active volcanic activity.