Ridges and Valleys of Lava - Deschutes County, Oregon
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 43° 54.764 W 121° 21.451
10T E 631878 N 4863491
This geology sign is located along The Trail of the Molten Lands at Lava Lands Visitor Center.
Waymark Code: WMEVE1
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2012
Views: 6
Geology sign discusses gutter system which fed the Lava Butte flow. Sign was installed in June 2012 as part of an ADA upgrade of the trail.
Marker Name: Ridges and Valleys of Lava
Marker Text: Waves of Change
You are standing on the edge of a lava levee. Looking down you can see the main gutter that channeled lava as it poured from the butte. Imagine the scene below you thousands of years ago when this valley was filled with a fiery lava river moving to your left. The high wall you’re standing on and the wall across from you formed as enormous pulses of lava filled and overflowed this gutter. Each overflow added a new layer, gradually increasing the size of the levee.
The Breach
Lava burst out at the thinnest point in the butte and flowed southward.
Main Gutter
The main gutter was formed as lava continued to follow this course, burying miles of pine forest as large pulses formed lava levees.
Rivers of Fire
You are looking down over one of the three main gutters of lava that flowed from Lava Butte. These flows buried 10 square miles of pine forests (that’s equal to almost 5,000 football fields!) and blocked the Deschutes River in five places -- creating the waterfalls we see today. To get a closer look at the natural forces that have been raging for 7,000 years, go walk the river trail at Benham Falls and see first hand how the river is still trying to work its way through the basalt dams created by these flows.
Gravity Takes Over
Lava moved further away from the vent, it then fanned out as the force of gravity pulled it downslope towards the Deschutes River.
Historic Topic: Geological
Group Responsible for placement: Forest Service
Marker Type: Trail
Region: Central Oregon
County: Deschutes
State of Oregon Historical Marker "Beaver Board": Not listed
Web link to additional information: Not listed
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