Photo-exploring a dormant volcano
Since witnessing the fiery red lava fountains on Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano from
the air, I have always had a fascination for volcanoes. It was just by chance
that I decided to relocate to an area in Northern Nevada that is an
hour's drive to the Mono Craters which are the youngest volcanic chain in North
America.
Located in Mono County the Mono Craters are a volcanic chain of
craters, domes and lava flows that stretch 25 miles in Eastern California from
the northwest shore of Mono Lake to Mammoth Mountain.
My goal with weather permitting is to explore as many of the Mono Craters as possible. In early April between spring storms, I began my photo-exploration to the Panum Crater which is the most accessible of all craters.
Panum Crater is a 650 year old dormant rhyolitic
volcano that formed over two stages. The first eruption blew out cinders, ash
and pumice, forming the outer rim.
In the second stage, lava
continued to rise and eventually formed a hardened dome or Plug Dome. The hot
molten lava squeezed up through cracks in the dome forming obsidian spires. The
spires toppled under their own weight, leaving colorful bands of pumice and
obsidian.
A hiking trail, the Rim Trail runs along the outer rim of
Panum Crater.
Following the walking path is taking a step back in time,
which lies over fine gravel that is composed of small bits of pumice, ash,
obsidian fragments and granitic pebbles that were ejected during the eruption. Due to the sharp, glass like edges on the obsidian, it is best to wear
sturdy, enclosed shoes.
Along the Rim Trail colorful rocks with green hues are stacked like a crumbling fortress that overlook a scenic view back toward pumice slopes.
An additional trail, the Plug Trail
leads up to the center of Panum Crater and the lava dome.
Climbing higher, just past the Crater's slope a nice view of Mono Lake comes in
to sight.
Continuing up to the summit of the dome the trail becomes
narrow, requiring careful footing.
Jagged rocks colored with
streaks of pumice and black obsidian reach toward the sky and must be what
remains of the collapsed spires.
Dark obsidian shines in the light and
stands out against the grey pumice.
Obsidian was used by the Native
American Paiute Tribe for making arrowheads.
Swirls of obsidian and
pumice lie forged together giving the appearance of cooling magma.
An abstract palette of nature's creative design.
As the day wears
long, a breeze reminds me that it is time to carefully plot my steps back down
this sharp, rocky trail. What an adventure this has been! To stand inside a
dormant volcano and experience the creativity of nature. Descending the Plug
Trail, the view of the Eastern Sierra come into sight. I can hardly wait to
come back and explore one of the other Mono Craters. Follow my Blog and check
back often to see where my photo-adventures have been.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!
Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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