Lava Pit Crater
When you first arrive at Lava Pit Crater you might assume this crater was formed by a huge explosion. Well think again! Pit craters like these are formed as molten basalt wells up into a lava lake and overflows repeatedly, slowly piling layer upon layer of tiny channels and mini-lava tubes, some just 3 or 4 inches in diameter. The crater develops as this lava lake drains down under the flow leaving terraces at each lake level, much like river terraces on a flood plain. Over time the crater has grown wider and wider as rocks have fallen away from the rim, burying the original floor under rock and dirt.
Over on the western side of the crater rim are some of the most interesting features. The first thing you'll notice is the nice abundance of pahoehoe (2nd picture on the left), some of it looking like a waterfall (or lavafall), rippling over small cliffs and collecting in mounds below. Also present are many open channels and tubes. One of the biggest lava channel runs down the western slope for over 100 feet, turning and tilting like a bobsled run. If you are daring enough you can descend down the crater wall onto the floor, just be careful not to disturb the couple of Owls that live in the walls of Lava Pit Crater.
Directions:
From Lava Beds Road traveling north, take the first right that you can find once you are in Diamond Craters. Travel past Big Bomb Crater, a restored cinder cone, and turn off to the left at the large parking area at the top of the hill.
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