Craters Of The Moon National Monument

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Intro

Established in 1924, the monument celebrated its 75th birthday in 1999. The Craters of the Moon Lava Field covers 618 square miles and is the largest young basaltic lava field in the conterminous United States. The monument preserves 83 square miles of it for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The park contains more than 20 volcanic cones including outstanding examples of spatter cones. There are 60 different lava flows on the surface, and they range in age from 15,000 to just 2,000 years old. There are excellent examples of pahoehoe, semihoe, aa, and block lava, as well as rafted blocks, tree molds, lava tubes, and many other volcanic features. The north end of the monument contains a portion of Goodale's Cutoff, which is part of the Oregon Trail.
Although a desolate looking place, the park thrives with wildlife. More than 350 species of plants and 43 mammals can be found in the park and more than 160 different species of birds have been seen here. The 7 mile loop drive provides a unique view. Hiking trails range from 1/4 to 11 miles round trip.

Designations

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