LAVA FLOWS AND FORMATIONS, PINACATE

Large areas of the Pinacate Reserve are covered with lava. This occurs in two major forms. This image shows part of a lava bed (about 40 cm from left to right of the image) in which the lava exhibits a fluid-like appearance, caused by hot molten lava flowing underneath an already cooled crust of lava, so that the surface crust is stretched and streaked like treacle. The other major type of lava consists of rough, jagged pinnacles, where later volcanic activity has disturbed existing lava beds.

Small part of a jagged, uplifted lava bed caused by upheaval during later volcanic activity. The turkey vulture is an extra! An excellent example of uplifted lava formations is shown in Pinacate Campsite (where this picture was taken).

Zoom view across the desert floor from the rim of Crater Elegante, showing extensive lava beds supporting scattered saguaro cacti, the seeds of which managed to root into cracks in the lava. Denser vegetation, including ocotillo, is seen on the slope leading up to Crater Elegante in the foreground.

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Pinacate Thumbnail images?
Pinacate Volcanic Field: space radar image?
El Elegante crater?
Elegante crater rim?
"Bombs and cinders"?
Colorado crater?
Lava fields?
Pinacate desert floor?
Pinacate campsite?
Pinacate plants?
Pinacate playa?
Lava plants?
Pinacate desert wash?