Pisgah Crater is the most prominent feature of the Lavic Lake volcanic field, which contains four Quaternary cinder cones. The 100-m-high Pisgah Crater, seen here from the NW, and its surrounding 100-sq-km lava field are easily seen from nearby Interstate highway 40. The crater and nearby vents were the source of dominantly pahoehoe lava flows that traveled as far as 18 km NW over alluvial-fan and playa-lake deposits. Pisgah Crater was initially considered to be Holocene in age, but more recent dating indicates it is about 25,000 years old.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1997 (Smithsonian Institution).

Additional Photos

A freight train passes Pisgah Crater and its associated lava field. The 100-m-high cone is the most prominent feature of a lava field that covers 100 sq km. The irregular shape of the cone results from the mining of aggregate. The composite lava flows extend up to 8 km to the SE and in a narrow lobe 18 km to the NW. Most of the flows are pahoehoe, but some of the eastern flows are aa. Other cones and lava flows of the Lavic Lake volcanic field are located nearby.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1997 (Smithsonian Institution).

The cone of Pisgah Crater has been modified by mining operations that provide a source of road aggregate. The cone is the most prominent feature of the Lavic Lake volcanic field in southern California. A broad lava field erupted from nearby vents surrounds the cone; a narrow lobe that extends up to 18 km to the NW can be seen in this view.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1997 (Smithsonian Institution).

The NE rim of Pisgah Crater provides a view of the 100-sq-km lava field surrounding the crater. The basaltic lava field was erupted from the crater and nearby vents and is dominantly formed of pahoehoe lava, although aa lavas were erupted on the eastern side. Interstate highway 40 skirts the northern margins of the lava flow, below the Cady Mountains in the distance. The lavas were erupted onto alluvial-fan and playa-lake deposits.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1997 (Smithsonian Institution).

The dark-colored area seen in the distance across the dry Lavic Lake is a cinder cone and associated lava field that is one of the young vents of the Lavic Lake volcanic field. The youthful-looking lava flows originated from the Sunshine Peak area of the Lava Beds Mountains, south of the better known Pisgah Crater.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1997 (Smithsonian Institution).