Ubehebe Crater

Magma worked its way through the fault-weakened rock where it met water-soaked bedrock and alluvial fan sediments. In an instant, water flashed to steam. A sudden, violent release of steam-powered energy blasted away the confining rock above. A dense, ground-hugging cloud of rocky debris surged out from the base at up to 100 miles/hour, decimating the landscape. The largest of these eruptions produced Ubehebe Crater, over a half a mile wide and 770 feet deep. Up to 150 feet of rock debris mantles the countryside near the site of the explosion. Over a dozen other explosion craters and tuff rings in the Ubehebe Crater field are the result of this type of hydro volcanic eruption.   A look into the depths of Ubehebe Crater, the largest and youngest volcanic feature at this stop. The eruptions that created Ubehebe Crater blasted through older conglomerate layers, now revealed in the crater walls.  Follow this well trod path on up to top-center and you will be able to see “Little Ubehebe” volcano and hike around Ubehebe.  If You Love Deserts, Check Out The

 Magma worked its way through the fault-weakened rock where it met water-soaked bedrock and alluvial fan sediments. In an instant, water flashed to steam. A sudden, violent release of steam-powered energy blasted away the confining rock above. A dense, ground-hugging cloud of rocky debris surged out from the base at up to 100 miles/hour, decimating the landscape. The largest of these eruptions produced Ubehebe Crater, over a half a mile wide and 770 feet deep. Up to 150 feet of rock debris mantles the countryside near the site of the explosion. Over a dozen other explosion craters and tuff rings in the Ubehebe Crater field are the result of this type of hydro volcanic eruption.   A look into the depths of Ubehebe Crater, the largest and youngest volcanic feature at this stop. The eruptions that created Ubehebe Crater blasted through older conglomerate layers, now revealed in the crater walls.  Follow this well trod path on up to top-center and you will be able to see “Little Ubehebe” volcano and hike around Ubehebe.  If You Love Deserts, Check Out The Mojave National Preserve.   Another Award Winning Site.