Jordan Craters

Coordinates: 43°06′43″N 117°24′58″W / 43.1118219°N 117.4159899°W / 43.1118219; -117.4159899
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Jordan Craters
Coffeepot Crater (left center) was the source of voluminous basaltic lava flows in the Jordan Craters volcanic field of SE Oregon.
Highest point
Elevation4,833 ft (1,473 m)[1]
Coordinates43°06′43″N 117°24′58″W / 43.1118219°N 117.4159899°W / 43.1118219; -117.4159899[2]
Geography
LocationMalheur County, Oregon, U.S.
Geology
Age of rockless than 30,000 years [3]
Mountain typeVolcanic field
Last eruption1250 BCE[1]

The flows of Jordan Craters volcanic field are the youngest of a series of large Quaternary basalt fields in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Oregon. The field is thought to be approximately 3200 years old, based on findings of a lake sediment coring experiment in 1986. It was formed by basaltic pahoehoe emanating from vents throughout the area.[4]

The most recent flows come from Coffeepot Crater, a large breached cinder cone. These flows show excellent examples of inflated lava.[5] Historically, it is believed that Coffeepot Crater held a pond of lava that would occasionally breach the sides of the crater to flow freely into the field.[4]

Jordan Craters is approximately 120 miles (200 km) southwest of Boise, Idaho[3] and 18 miles (30 km) northwest of Jordan Valley, Oregon.[4]

The craters are free and open to the public all year.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests – Crooked River National Grassland. United States Forest Service.  (archived)

  1. ^ a b "Jordan Craters". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. ^ "Jordan Craters". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  3. ^ a b Wood, Charles A.; Jurgen Kienle (1993). Volcanoes of North America. Cambridge University Press. pp. 210–211. ISBN 0-521-43811-X.
  4. ^ a b c "Jordan Craters volcanic field". USGS Volcano Hazards Program. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Oregon Volcanoes - Jordan Craters Flows". Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests - Crooked River National Grassland. United States Forest Service. 2003-11-26. Archived from the original on 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-16.