Beaver Marsh Rest Area - Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This geologic history sign is located at Beaver Marsh Rest Area kiosk for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

Marker Name: Beaver Marsh Rest Area

Marker Text: Imagine 7,700 years ago, not being able to see across the forest. It was so dense with particles of pumice ash that seeing the trees would not have been possible.
The mountain where present day Crater Lake is located, Mt. Mazama, explosively erupted sending pumice ash more than 30 miles into the air. The ash was carried by winds, depositing ash up to 300 feet deep in some places. The ash traveled great distances, covering portions of 8 states and Canada.
Frothy lava trapped volcanic gases in tiny glass bubbles. As these bubbles hardened and cooled, they shattered into little fragments known as pumice ash. Though this ash floats in water, it does not have the ability to hold many nutrients or much water.
The forests in this area, known as the Pumice Desert, have larger spaces between plants than many other forests because the soils do not have enough water and nutrients to help the plants thrive. In fact, aside from the trees there are few plants on the forest floor. Looking in other areas of this volcanic landscape rich soils support dense forests, with a large diversity of plants and animals.

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