Lava Beds National Monument

"Lava Beds" redirects here. For other uses, see Lava Beds (disambiguation).

Lava Beds National Monument
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
Location	Siskiyou / Modoc counties, California, USA
Nearest city	Klamath Falls, Oregon
Area	46,560 acres (18,840 ha)
Established	21 November, 1925
Visitors	107,475 (in 2005)
Governing body	National Park Service

Lava Beds National Monument, located in Siskiyou and Modoc Counties, California, is the site of the largest concentration of lava tube caves in North America. It was established as a United States National Monument on November 21, 1925, occupying over 46,000 acres. Lava Beds National Monument also includes Petroglyph Point, one of the largest panels of Native American rock art in the United States. The monument offers about ten trails through the high desert. Approximately 25 of the lava tube caves have been developed for public use with marked entrances and developed trails.

Medicine Lake Volcano from Captain Jack's Stronghold

The monument lies on the northeast flank of the Medicine Lake Volcano, the largest volcano (total area covered) in the Cascade Range. The region in and around the monument is unique because it lies on the junction of the Sierra-Klamath, Cascade, and Great Basin physiographic provinces. In addition, the monument is geologically outstanding because of its great variety of "textbook" volcanic formations; i.e., lava tube caves, fumaroles, cinder cones, spatter cones, maars, and lava flows. Over 30 separate lava flows located in the park range in age from 2,000,000 years BP to 1,110 years BP. Some of the major Lava Flows within Lava Beds National Monument include: Callahan Flow, Schonchin Flow, Mammoth Crater Flow, Modoc Crater Flow, and Devils Homestead Flow. Schonchin Butte is an example of a cinder cone.

The high elevation, semi-arid desert environment of Lava Beds receives an average of 15 inches (380 mm) of annual precipitation. The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cold winters. The average annual high temperature is 60 °F (16 °C) and average annual low temperature is 35 °F (2 °C). Temperature extremes range from 18 °F (−8 °C) to 102 °F (39 °C). Average annual snowfall is 44 inches (110 cm). The lava tube collapse systems and lava outcrops support a great diversity of plant life, from an impressive variety of lichens and mosses to plants such as desert sweet (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) and the aromatic desert (purple) sage (Salvia dorrii carnosa). An impressive variety of fern species are present in cave entrances including the spreading wood fern (Dryopteris expansa) and the western swordfern (Polystichum munitum). These species are well outside of their normal range 90–125 miles (145–201 km) away on the northern California coastline.

Volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created an incredibly rugged landscape punctuated by cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, lava tube caves and pit craters.

Modoc War

Captain Jack's Stronghold

Main article: Modoc War

During the Modoc War of 1872-1873, the Modoc Indians used these tortuous lava flows to their advantage. Under the leadership of Captain Jack, the Modocs took refuge in "Captain Jack's Stronghold," a natural lava fortress. From this base a group of 53 fighting men and their families held off US Army forces numbering up to ten times their strength for five months. Gen E. R. S. Canby was killed here by Captain Jack at a peace meeting on April 11, 1873.

Wildlife

Despite harsh, semi-arid conditions, native wildlife has adapted to the environmental constraints present in the region. There are no terrestrial water resources in Lava Beds National Monument. Some animals obtain water from caves, while others fly about twenty km (12 miles) north to Tule Lake. Federal and state animal species of special concern in the monument include: Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes), Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotic), Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans), Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus), Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivigans), Townsends Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum), and American Badger (Taxidea taxus).

False-color satellite image of Lava Beds National Monument and surrounding area (more information).

Because of a lack of surface water, amphibian presence in the monument is limited. The most common species found in the monument is the Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla). This species is also found in the biologically rich cave entrances in the monument. Reptile species found in the monument include: northern sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus graciosus), Great Basin fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis biseriatus), western skink (Eumeces skiltonianus skiltonianus), Rocky Mountain rubber boa (Charina bottae utahensis), gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), desert night snake (Hypsiglena torquata deserticola), western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis).

Key animal species by habitat:

• Bunchgrass-sagebrush grasslands: Mule Deer, coyote gopher snake, Prairie Falcon, Western Meadowlark, anderson larkspur, yellow-bellied marmot, Kangaroo Rat
• Ponderosa-juniper-brushlands: Pronghorn Antelope, Bobcat, Scrub Jay, Jackrabbit, Mountain Bluebird,
• Pine forest: Mountain Lion, Bald Eagle (winter resident), Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
• Rocky Lava Flows: western fence lizard, western rattlesnake
• Cave mouths & interior passages: Violet-green Swallow, Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, Townsends Big-eared Bat, Pacific tree frog, Pika, Bushy-tailed Woodrat
• Lake shore areas: Skunk, Raccoon, Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl.

Geologic formations

Illuminated lava tube - all others here require flashlights (available by loan) or are illuminated by ceiling collapse portals

Roughly ninety percent of the lava in the monument is basaltic. There are primarily two kinds of basaltic lava flows: pahoehoe and 'A'a. Pahoehoe is smooth and ropy and is the type most common in Lava Beds. Aa is formed when pahoehoe cools and loses some of its gases. Aa is rough, sharp, and jagged; an excellent example is the Devils Homestead lava flow, which originated at Fleener Chimneys. Most of the rest of the lava in the monument is andesitic. Pumice, a type of rhyolitic lava, also is found covering the monument; this rained down around 900 years ago during the eruption of Glass Mountain.

The flows from Mammoth and Modoc Craters comprise about 2/3 of the lava in the monument. These flows have been dated to about 30,000-40,000 years ago; most of the caves in the monument were formed from these flows. As the hot basaltic lava flowed downhill, the top cooled and crusted over, insulating the rest of the lava and forming lava tubes. Lavacicles on the ceiling of a lava tube were left as the level of lava in the tube retreated and the viscous lava on the ceiling dripped as it cooled. Dripstone was created when lava splashed on the inside walls of the tubes.

Lavacicles on the ceiling of Mushpot Cave.

Cinder cones are formed when magma is under great pressure. It is released in a fountain of lava, blown into the air from a central vent. The lava cools as it falls, forming cinders that pile up around the vent. When the pressure has been relieved, the rest of the lava flows from the base of the cone. Cinder cones typically only erupt once.

The cinder cones of Hippo Butte, Three Sisters, Juniper Butte, and Crescent Butte are all older than the Mammoth and Modoc Crater flows (that is, more than 30,000-40,000 years old). Eagle Nest Butte and Bearpaw Butte are 114,000 years old. Schonchin Butte and the andesitic flow from its base were formed around 62,000 years ago. The flow that formed Valentine Cave erupted 10,850 years ago. An eruption that formed The Castles is younger than the Mammoth Crater flows. Even younger were eruptions from Fleener Chimneys (the Devils Homestead flow, 10,500 years ago) and Black Crater (3,025 years ago). About 1,110 years ago, plus or minus 60 years, the Callahan flow was produced by an eruption from Cinder Butte. Though Cinder Butte is just outside the boundary of the monument, the Callahan flow is in Lava Beds and is the youngest flow in the monument.

Spatter cones are built out of thicker lava. The lava is thrown out of the vent and builds, layer by layer, a chimney surrounding the vent. Fleener Chimneys and Black Crater are examples of spatter cones.

Gillem Bluff, a fault scarp, was created as the region stretched and a block of earth dropped down along this fault (see Basin and Range Province). The tuff layer on top of Gillem Bluff is 2,000,000 years old, inferring the rock layers beneath are even older. The oldest lava flow from the Medicine Lake Volcano within the monument is the Basalt of Hovey Point, near Captain Jacks Stronghold, which is 450,000 years old. Petroglyph Point was created about 275,000 years ago when cinders erupted through the shallow water of Tule Lake; violent explosions of ash and steam formed layers upon layers of tuff.

The caldera itself is thought to have formed by subsidence, during which basalt and andesite were erupted up on the slopes.

Recent activity

Schonchin Butte cinder cone at dawn, viewed from Park Headquarters.

A series of small earthquakes in late 1988 has been attributed to subsidence in the caldera.

N-NE trending ground cracks, as well as N-NE trending vent series show relationships between tectonism and volcanism. One very prevalent ground crack exists along the northeastern boundary of the monument- "The Big Crack."

The leaching of minerals from pumice gravel, soils, and overlying rock provides for deposition of secondary speleothems in lava tubes.

Media

Short video showing sights in Lava Beds National Monument

Wilderness area

The Lava Beds Wilderness is a 28,460-acre (11,520 ha) wilderness area within the Lava Beds National Monument. It was designated by the US Congress on October 13, 1972 with passage of Public Law 92-493. The wilderness protects more than half of the national monument in two separate units. The larger unit is on the eastern side of the monument and contains the extensive Schonchin lava flow. The western unit reflects the monument's location within the transition zone of the Cascade Range's southern end and the arid Modoc Plateau. The plant diversity coupled with different soil types provides good habitat for a wide range of wildlife. The numerous coyotes and foxes, as well as raptors feed on rodents such as the kangaroo rat and jackrabbit. The kangaroo rat is especially adapted to dry, waterless environments because it can go a lifetime without water. A metabolic process occurs where water is synthesized from chemical components in the dry seeeds that the rat eats. Many of the birds seen here are raptors, with 24 species of hawks identified. The monument is located on the Pacific Flyway and the bald eagle winters here in the northern portion of the wilderness. The National Park Service manages the wilderness and has several restrictions in place, such as no camping near cave entrances or trails. Open campfires may be prohibited during very hot, dry weather.

Historic site

The Lava Beds National Monument Archeological District, probably a small portion of the monument, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 1991.

In Television

Some of the caves in the area were featured on the October 18, KIXE special, Nature Caught In The Act. The video filmed by Brian Swierczynski was entitled Caves Of Lava Beds The original title was shortened to Caves Of Lava for the broadcast. The short 3 minute video clip featured, Merril Cave, Mushpot Cave, Valentine Cave, Indian Well, Heppe Cave, Skull Cave, Symbol Bridge, Sunshine Cave, Lava Brook, and Petroglyph Point.

See also

• Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

External links

• National Park Service: Lava Beds National Monument (adapted public domain text)