Lassen Volcanic National Park 345237 225350238 2008-07-13T06:09:00Z Kmmontandon 359372 /* Geography and climate */ {{Infobox_protected_area | name = Lassen Volcanic National Park | iucn_category = II | image = US_Locator_Blank.svg | caption = | locator_x = 16 | locator_y = 60 | location = [[Shasta County, California|Shasta]], [[Lassen County, California|Lassen]], [[Plumas County, California|Plumas]], and [[Tehama County, California|Tehama]] Counties, [[California]], [[United States|USA]] | nearest_city = [[Redding, California|Redding]] | lat_degrees = 40 | lat_minutes = 29 | lat_seconds = 17 | lat_direction = N | long_degrees = 121 | long_minutes = 30 | long_seconds = 18 | long_direction = W | area = {{convert|106000|acre|sigfig=3}} | established = [[August 9]], [[1916]] | visitation_num = 395,057 | visitation_year = 2007 | governing_body = [[National Park Service]] }} [[Image:Lassen Volcanic National Park map 2006.07.png|thumb|right|288px|Map of Lassen Volcanic National park]] '''Lassen Volcanic National Park''' is a [[United States National Park]] in central northern [[California]]. The dominant feature of the park is [[Lassen Peak]]; the largest [[lava dome|plug dome]] [[volcano]] in the world and the southern-most volcano in the [[Cascade Range]]. Lassen Volcanic National Park started as two separate [[U.S. National Monument|national monuments]] designated by President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] in 1907: '''Cinder Cone National Monument''' and '''Lassen Peak National Monument'''. The source of heat for volcanism in the Lassen area is [[subduction]] off the [[Northern California]] coast of the [[Gorda Plate]] diving below the [[North American Plate]]. The area surrounding Lassen Peak is still active with boiling [[mud pot]]s, stinking [[fumarole]]s, and churning [[hot spring]]s. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the few areas in the world where all four types of volcano can be found (plug dome, [[shield volcano|shield]], [[volcanic cone#cinder cone|cinder cone]], and [[stratovolcano|strato]]). The park is accessible via State Routes [[California State Route 89|SR 89]] and [[California State Route 44|SR 44]]. SR 89 passes north-south through the park, beginning at [[California State Route 36|SR 36]] to the south and ending at SR 44 to the north. SR 89 passes immediately adjacent the base of Lassen Peak. There are a total of five vehicle entrances to the park: the north and south entrances of SR 89, and unpaved roads entering at [[Drakesbad]] and [[Juniper Lake (Lassen Peak)|Juniper Lake]] in the south, and [[Butte Lake (California)|Butte Lake]] in the northeast. The Park can also be accessed by trails leading in from [[Caribou Wilderness]] to the east, as well as the [[Pacific Crest Trail]], and two smaller trails leading in from Willow Lake and Little Willow Lake to the south. A large lodge (the Lassen Chalet) with concession facilities formerly was located near the south-west entrance, but was demolished in 2005. A new, full-service visitor center is being constructed in the same location, with a planned completion date of 2008. Near the old lodge location was also located Lassen Ski Area, which ceased operation in 1992; all infrastructure has been removed. ==History== [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] have inhabited the area long before white settlers first saw Lassen. The natives knew that the peak was full of fire and water and thought that it would one day blow itself apart.<ref name="GeologyNP466">''Geology of National Parks'', p. 466.</ref> [[White American|White]] immigrants in the mid-19th century used Lassen Peak as a landmark on their trek to the fertile [[Sacramento Valley]]. One of the guides to these immigrants was a Danish [[blacksmith]] named [[Peter Lassen]], who settled in [[Northern California]] in the 1830s. Lassen Peak was named after him.<ref name="GeologyNP466"/> [[Nobles Emigrant Trail]] was later cut through the park area and passed [[Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds]]. Inconsistent newspaper accounts reported by witnesses from 1850-1851 described seeing "fire thrown to a terrible height" and "burning lava running down the sides" in the area of Cinder Cone. As late as 1859 a witness reported seeing fire in the sky from a distance, attributing it to an eruption. Early [[geology|geologists]] and [[volcanology|volcanologists]] who studied the Cinder Cone concluded the last eruption occurred between 1675 and 1700. After the [[1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens|1980 eruption]] of [[Mount St. Helens]], the [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS) began reassessing the potential risk of other active volcanic areas in the [[Cascade Range]]. Further study of Cinder Cone estimated the last eruption occurred between 1630 and 1670. The Lassen area was first protected by being designated as the Lassen Peak Forest Preserve. Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone were later declared as [[U.S. National Monument]]s in May 1907 by President [[Theodore Roosevelt]].<ref>''Geology of U.S. Parklands'', p. 154.</ref> [[Image:Brokeoff Mountain Lassen Volcanic.jpg|thumb|center|600px|[[Brokeoff Mountain]], [[Lassen Peak]], and [[Chaos Crags]], from left to right. The area of Lassen Peak that was lost during the 1914-15 volcanic event is visible in this picture, encompassing the sliver of snow.]]<br clear=all> Starting in May 1914 and lasting until 1921, a series of minor to major eruptions occurred on Lassen. These events created a new crater, and released [[lava]] and a great deal of [[volcanic ash|ash]]. Fortunately, because of warnings, no one was killed, but several houses along area creeks were destroyed. Because of the eruptive activity, which continued through 1917, and the area's stark volcanic beauty, Lassen Peak, Cinder Cone and the area surrounding were declared a National Park on [[August 9]] [[1916]].<ref name="GeologyNP466"/> The {{convert|29|mi|km|0|sing=on}} Main Park Road was constructed between 1925 and 1931, just 10 years after Lassen Peak erupted. Near Lassen Peak the road reaches {{Convert|8512|ft|m|0}}, making it the highest road in the Cascade Mountains. It is not unusual for {{Convert|40|ft|m|0|abbr=on|abbr=on}} of snow to accumulate on the road near [[Lake Helen (Lassen Peak)|Lake Helen]] and for patches of snow to last into July. In 1974 the [[United States Park Service]] took the advice of the USGS and closed the visitor center and accommodations at [[Manzanita Lake]]. The Survey stated that these buildings would be in the way of a rockslide from [[Chaos Crags]] if an [[earthquake]] or eruption occurred in the area.<ref name="GeologyNP466"/> An aging [[seismograph]] station remains. However, a campground, store, and museum dedicated to Benjamin F. Loomis stands near Manzanita Lake, welcoming visitors who enter the park from the northwest entrance. After the Mount St. Helens eruption, the USGS intensified its monitoring of active and potentially active volcanoes in the Cascade Range. Monitoring of the Lassen area includes periodic measurements of ground deformation and volcanic-gas emissions and continuous transmission of data from a local network of nine seismometers to USGS offices in [[Menlo Park, California]].<ref name="VolcanoHazards">USGS: Volcano Hazards of the Lassen Volcanic National Park Area, California</ref> Should indications of a significant increase in volcanic activity be detected, the USGS will immediately deploy scientists and specially designed portable monitoring instruments to evaluate the threat. In addition, the [[National Park Service]] (NPS) has developed an emergency response plan that would be activated to protect the public in the event of an impending eruption. ==Geography and climate== [[Image:Lassen VNP map.png|thumb|300px|right|Map of Lassen area showing hydrothermal features (red dots) and volcanic feature or remnant (yellow cones). Also shown is the outline of Brokeoff Volcano.]] The park is located near the northern end of the [[Sacramento Valley]]. The western part of the park features great lava pinnacles (huge [[mountain]]s created by [[lava]] flows), jagged craters, and steaming sulphur vents. It is cut by glaciated [[canyon]]s and is dotted and threaded by [[lake]]s and rushing clear [[stream]]s. The eastern part of the park is a vast [[lava plateau]] more than one mile (1.6 km) above sea level. Here are found small [[cinder cone]]s (Fairfield Peak, Hat Mountain, and Crater Butte).<ref name="NPSfieldnotes">[http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/lavo/NPS: "Geology Fieldnotes for Lassen Volcanic National Park California"] (accessed 7 October 2006)</ref> Forested with [[pine]] and [[fir]], this area is studded with small lakes, but it boasts few streams. Warner Valley, marking the southern edge of the Lassen Plateau, features hot spring areas (Boiling Springs Lake, Devils Kitchen, and Terminal Geyser).<ref name="NPSfieldnotes"/> This forested, steep valley also has large meadows that have [[wildflower]]s in spring. Lassen Peak is made of [[dacite]], and is one of the world's largest [[plug domes|plug dome]] volcanoes. It is also the southernmost non-extinct volcano of the [[Cascade Range]] (specifically, the [[Shasta Cascade]] part of the range). {{convert|10457|ft|adj=on}} tall volcano sits on the north-east flank of the remains of [[Mount Tehama]], a [[stratovolcano]] that was a thousand feet (305 m) higher than Lassen and 11 to 15 miles (18 to 24&nbsp;km) wide at its base.<ref name="GeologyNP466"/> After emptying its throat and partially doing the same to its [[magma chamber]] in a series of eruptions, Tehama either collapsed into itself and formed a two-mile (3.2&nbsp;km) wide [[caldera]] in the late [[Pleistocene]] or was simply eroded away with the help of [[acid]]ic vapors that loosened and broke the rock, which was later carried away by glaciers. On the other side of the present caldera is [[Brokeoff Mountain]] (9,235 feet or 2,815 m), which is an [[erosion]]al remnant of Mount Tehama and the second highest peak in the park. Mount Conrad, Mount Diller, and Pilot Pinnacle are also remnant peaks around the caldera. Sulphur Works is a geothermal area in between Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain that is thought to mark an area near the center of Tehama's now-gone cone. Other geothermal areas in the caldera are Little Hot Springs Valley, Diamond Point (an old lava conduit), and Bumpass Hell (see [[Geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park]]). [[Image:Broken face of Brokeoff Mountain.jpg|thumb|250px|Broken face of Brokeoff Mountain]] The magma that fuels the volcanoes in the park is derived from [[subduction]] off the coast of Northern California. [[Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds]], located about 10 miles (16&nbsp;km) northeast of Lassen Peak, is a cinder cone volcano and associated lava flow field that last erupted about 1650. It created a series of [[andesite|basaltic andesite]] to [[andesite]] lava flows known as the Fantastic Lava Beds. There are four [[shield volcano]]es in the park; Mount Harkness (southwest corner of the park), Red Mountain (at south-central boundary), Prospect Peak (in northwest corner), and Raker Peak (north of Lassen Peak). All of these volcanoes are 7,000-8,400 feet (2,133-2,560 m) above [[sea level]] and each is topped by a cinder cone volcano. During [[ice age]]s, [[glacier]]s have modified and helped to [[erosion|erode]] the older volcanoes in the park. The center of [[snow]] accumulation and therefore [[ice]] radiation was Lassen Peak, Red Mountain, and Raker Peak. These volcanoes thus show more glacial scarring than other volcanoes in the park. Despite not having any glaciers currently, Lassen Peak does have 14 permanent snowfields ([http://glaciers.pdx.edu/gdb/maps/california.php]). Since the entire park is located at medium to high [[elevation]]s, the park generally has cool-cold winters and warm summers below {{convert|7500|ft}}. Above this elevation, the climate is harsh and cold, with cool summer temperatures. [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] within the park is high to very high due to a lack of a rain shadow from the [[Coast Ranges]]. The park gets more precipitation than anywhere in the Cascades south of the [[Three Sisters (Oregon)|Three Sisters]]. Snowfall at the Lassen Peak Chalet at {{convert|6700|ft|sigfig=3}} is around {{convert|430|in|cm}} despite facing east. Up around [[Lake Helen (Lassen Peak)|Lake Helen]], at {{convert|8200|ft}} the snowfall is around 600-700 inches (1500&nbsp;cm to 1800&nbsp;cm), making it probably the snowiest place in California. In addition, Lake Helen gets more average snow [[accumulation]] than any other recording station located near a volcano in the Cascade range, with a maximum of {{convert|178|in|cm}}.<ref>[http://www.skimountaineer.com/CascadeSki/CascadeSnow.html Skimountaineer.com: Cascade Snow]</ref> Snowbanks persist year-round. {{wide image|USA Lassen NP Kings Creek CA edit3.jpg|1000px|<center>''Kings Creek with Lassen Peak on the horizon''</center>}} ==Geology== {{main|Geology of the Lassen volcanic area}} [[Image:Lassen Peak from the summit of Brokeoff Mountain-1200px.jpg|thumb|250px|Lassen Peak from the summit of Brokeoff Mountain. Photo shows 1915 tongue of lava and Vulcan's Eye.]] ===Formation of basement rocks=== [[Image:Cinder Cone from the Fantastic Lava Beds in Lassen VNP-750px.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Cinder Cone from the Fantastic Lava Beds]] [[Image:Lassen.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Thermal vents at Sulfur Works]] In the [[Cenozoic]], uplifting and westward tilting of the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] along with extensive volcanism generated huge [[lahar]]s (volcanic-derived mud flows) in the [[Pliocene]] which became the [[Tuscan Formation]]. This formation is not exposed anywhere in the national park but it is just below the surface in many areas. Also in the Pliocene, [[basalt]]ic flows erupted from vents and fissures in the southern part of the park. These and later flows covered increasingly large areas and built a [[lava]] plateau. In the later Pliocene and into the [[Pleistocene]], these basaltic flows were covered by successive thick and fluid flows of [[andesite]] lava, which geologists call the Juniper lavas and the Twin Lakes lavas. The Twin Lakes lava is black, [[porphyritic]] and has abundant [[xenocryst]]s of [[quartz]] (see [[Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds|Cinder Cone]]). Another group of andesite lava flows called the Flatiron, erupted during this time and covered the southwestern part of the park's area. The park by this time was a relatively featureless and large lava plain. Subsequently, the Eastern basalt flows erupted along the eastern boundary of what is now the park, forming low hills that were later [[erosion|eroded]] into rugged terrain. ===Volcanoes rise=== [[Image:USA Lassen Peak CA.jpg|thumb|250px|Lassen Peak as seen from [[Lake Helen (Lassen Peak)|Lake Helen]]]] [[Pyroclastic]] eruptions then started to pile [[tephra]] into cones in the northern area of the park. [[Mount Tehama]] (also known as Brokeoff Volcano) rose as a [[stratovolcano]] in the southeastern corner of the park during the [[Pleistocene]]. It was made of roughly alternating layers of andesitic lavas and [[tephra]] ([[volcanic ash]], [[breccia]], and [[pumice]]) with increasing amounts of tephra with elevation. At its height, Tehama was probably about {{convert|11000|ft|m}} high. Approximately 350,000 years ago its cone collapsed into itself and formed a two-mile (3.2&nbsp;km) wide [[caldera]] after it emptied its throat and partially did the same to its [[magma chamber]] in a series of eruptions. One of these eruptions occurred where [[Lassen Peak]] now stands, and consisted of fluid, black, glassy [[dacite]], which formed a layer {{convert|1500|ft}} thick (outcroppings of which can be seen as columnar rock at Lassen's base). [[Image:Lassen Peak from Devastated Area-1200px.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Lassen Peak from Devastated Area]] During glacial periods (ice ages) of the present [[Wisconsinan glaciation]], glaciers have modified and helped to erode the older volcanoes in the park, including the remains of Tehama. Many of these glacial features, deposits and scars, however, have been covered up by tephra and avalanches, or were destroyed by eruptions. Roughly 27,000 years ago (older data gave an age of 18,000 years), Lassen Peak started to form as a [[dacite]] [[lava dome]] quickly pushed its way through Tehama's destroyed north-eastern flank. As the lava dome pushed its way up, it shattered overlaying rock, which formed a blanket of talus around the emerging volcano. Lassen rose and reached its present height in a relatively short time, probably in as little as a few years. Lassen Peak has also been partially eroded by Ice Age glaciers, at least one of which extended as much as {{convert|7|mi}} from the volcano itself. Since then, smaller dacite domes formed around Lassen. The largest of these, [[Chaos Crags]], is just north of Lassen Peak. [[Phreatic]] (steam explosion) eruptions, [[dacite]] and [[andesite]] lava flows and [[volcanic cone#cinder cone|cinder cone]] formation have persisted into modern times. <center> {{wide image|BumpassHellPanoCropped.jpg|800px|<center>[[Geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park|Bumpass Hell]] contains boiling springs, mudpots, and fumeroles</center>}}</center> ==Media== {{multi-video start}} {{multi-video item|filename=MountLassen.1.ogg‎ |title=Sights of Mount Lassen, including Bumpass Hell|description=Short video showing some of the attractions of Mount Lassen, from [http://www.ianandwendy.com/OtherTrips/ShastaLassenLABE/index.htm here].}} {{multi-video end}} ==See also== [[Image:Lassen Volcanic Natl Park poster 1938.jpg|thumb|1938 poster for Lassen Volcanic National Park]] *[[Lassen Peak]] *[[Chaos Crags]] *[[Geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park]] *[[List of nationally protected areas of the United States]] *[[Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway]] ==References== *''Geology of National Parks: Fifth Edition'', Ann G. Harris, Esther Tuttle, Sherwood D., Tuttle (Iowa, Kendall/Hunt Publishing; 1997) ISBN 0-7872-5353-7 *[http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs022-00/ Volcano Hazards of the Lassen Volcanic National Park Area, California], [[U.S. Geological Survey]] Fact Sheet 022-00, Online version 1.0 (adapted public domain text; accessed 25 September 2006) ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons|Lassen Volcanic National Park}} *[http://www.nps.gov/lavo/ Official National Park Service website] *[http://www.nps.gov/lavo/parkmgmt/vc_overview.htm Lassen Visitor Center] *[http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs022-00/ USGS: Volcano Hazards of the Lassen Volcanic National Park Area] *[http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/parks/lassen/index.html USGS: Geology of Lassen Volcanic National Park] *[http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.lassen-volcanic.html Photos of Lassen Volcanic National Park - Terra Galleria] *[http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/browse/azBrowse/Parks,+Lassen+Volcanic+National+Park Historic images of Lassen National Park], from the University of California {{National parks of the United States}} {{Protected Areas of California}} [[Category:Lassen Volcanic National Park| ]] [[Category:Lassen County, California]] [[Category:Plumas County, California]] [[Category:Shasta County, California]] [[Category:Tehama County, California]] [[Category:1916 establishments]] [[Category:Hot springs of California]] [[de:Lassen-Volcanic-Nationalpark]] [[fa:پارک ملی آتشفشانی لاسن]] [[fr:Parc national de Lassen Volcanic]] [[nl:Vulkanisch nationaal park Lassen]] [[ja:ラッセン火山国立公園]] [[pl:Park Narodowy Lassen Volcanic]] [[pt:Parque Nacional de Lassen Volcanic]] [[ru:Лассен-Волканик (национальный парк)]] [[fi:Lassen Volcanicin kansallispuisto]] [[sv:Lassen Volcanic nationalpark]] [[zh:拉森火山國家公園]]