Sign along trail down to Crooked River.
Marker Name: Explosive Beginnings - The Geological Story of Smith Rock
Marker Text: Smith Rock State Park presents an awesome demonstration of the power and diversity of volcanic activity. The canyon’s landscapes were created by two very different volcanic events -- explosions of volcanic ash and the quiet flow of fluid basalt.
A major volcanic eruption began the formation of Smith Rock. Ash a half-mile thick settled over the area, eventually hardening to become rock known as Smith Rock tuff. Wind and water erosion altered the tuff leaving the spectacular spires in front of you.
Later, fluid basalt flowing from other volcanic eruptions eventually pushed the Crooked River up to the base of Smith Rock, creating another type of landscape.
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