Craters of the Moon is a national preserve located in the state of Idaho, near the central plains. Nearest town across the area is Arco, who benefits from the tourism of this area. Craters of the Moon is aptly named because of the volcanic activity that had resulted in the area in the past and had created a flood basalt area that mimics the landscape of the moon.
It has about three major plains, all lying along the Great Rift of Idaho, another spectacular natural monument. The Great Rift is a good example of open rift cracks that appear around the world, Idaho's being one of the most deepest of the known cracks. The area boasts of a lot of natural formations like tree molds (happens when lava cools down but burns the tree inside, forming a mold-like cavity), lava tubes (a lava cave) and many more.
It was of 1924 that President Coolidge proclaimed the area a protected zone. Inns and cabins were created and the area started to take shape. Soon thereafter, the park was expanded until the National Wilderness Preservation System had finally declared its protection over the mentioned area.
The park was also used by NASA, for training in collection of rock samples. It was later found out by the astronauts that the two terrains (that of the moon and of the park) were totally different. Still, the name stuck, and no attempts to change it were made.
There are numerous sights to see, one of which is Kings Bowl Lava Field, which formed after the eruption of a lava tube touching groundwater and blowing the whole area up due to a steam explosion. It's quite large and hard not to notice. Others near the area are explosion pits, lava lakes, squeeze-ups, mounds and ash blankets.
Idaho hosts an exciting natural monument, so why not try and give it a visit?
It has about three major plains, all lying along the Great Rift of Idaho, another spectacular natural monument. The Great Rift is a good example of open rift cracks that appear around the world, Idaho's being one of the most deepest of the known cracks. The area boasts of a lot of natural formations like tree molds (happens when lava cools down but burns the tree inside, forming a mold-like cavity), lava tubes (a lava cave) and many more.
It was of 1924 that President Coolidge proclaimed the area a protected zone. Inns and cabins were created and the area started to take shape. Soon thereafter, the park was expanded until the National Wilderness Preservation System had finally declared its protection over the mentioned area.
The park was also used by NASA, for training in collection of rock samples. It was later found out by the astronauts that the two terrains (that of the moon and of the park) were totally different. Still, the name stuck, and no attempts to change it were made.
There are numerous sights to see, one of which is Kings Bowl Lava Field, which formed after the eruption of a lava tube touching groundwater and blowing the whole area up due to a steam explosion. It's quite large and hard not to notice. Others near the area are explosion pits, lava lakes, squeeze-ups, mounds and ash blankets.
Idaho hosts an exciting natural monument, so why not try and give it a visit?
About the Author:
Going to Idaho and don't know what to do thereafter? Ian Kleine suggests a good festival would cheer you up! Idaho craft fairs boasts a good number of sites to see around the state!. Visit Idaho craft fairs today!
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