Craters of the Moon

Craters of the moon is actually the residual after effects of the weakened crust after the North America plate moved over the Yellowstone hotspot. Though the fissure about every 2000 yrs lava has come forth, last happening about 2000 yrs back (yesterday in geological history). So far there have been about 10 eruptions here.

The basaltic lava actually has a higher density than the crustal plate (normally it SHOULD sink). However when it gets really hot it expands and becomes less dense than the crustal plate and it rises though the crust (in much the same way as hot air ballons rise). As it melts through the crustal plate it creates ryolite (essentially molten crustal plate) and dissolves lots of gas from these plates). When it hits the surface, the ryolite is blown off, and the lava begins to degas. Initally this is violent, blowing lava into the air that inflates with the dissolved gases to give sinters. As the lava degases, the lava becomes less 'bubbly' and more blobby and spatter cones are formed. After this lava exudes forth. Initially as hot runny liquid which can solidify to give pahoe hoe. However as the lava thickens it becomes more rocky and looks like a moving rockpile. This can solidify to give ah ah lave. Finally some footage of the lava tubes and wildlife are included.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Craters
• of
• the
• Moon
• lava
• magma
• volcano
• eruption
• tube
• spatter
• sinter
• wildlife
• national
• park

[Redshift21]

Sounds like a great place for a wind turbine.

[dackjaniels555]

I bet jesus could walk on lava.

[Zephanus]

Is this thunderf00t?

[Jerkabobber]

I've been there, I loved it! Cool video, hats off for sharing

[bapyou]

There are cameras which have microphones automatically limiting the effects of wind noise. Get one.

[NOmeansnoFAN]

I wonder, has any glass blower suited up and made a piece right from nature? I bet it would go for big bucks!

[kilrog79]

I really like your videos i have done some airiel photography too. Pretty neat stuff. But on the other hand you are an idiot. You and your god shit. There is no such thing.

[RamenXBaka]

I live in Idaho and went there when I was younger! it was fun

[TonyBtheEG]

Thanks for sharing.

[Lunerk]

I'm from Idaho and I've been there many times, that place is the most dead and desolate place I've ever seen...

[fmaneko217]

Craters of the Moon is a nice place to go. I live in Pocatello, so it's just a short drive away. Nice video and info.

[orpiment99]

FYI, current thought is that the transition between pahoehoe and a'a is due to efusion rate.  That is probably a bit more than you would want to go into, though. Nice video.