Tag Archives: volcanoes

Lava Beds National Monument

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Located within the Cascade Range in northeast California, Lava Beds National Monument preserves over 72 square miles (186 square km) of cinder cones, lava flows, and the largest collection of lava tube caves to be found in North America. These remarkable features … Continue reading →

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Waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Forming much of the border between Oregon and Washington, the Columbia River bisects the volcanic rocks of the Cascade Range. Over the last 12-17 million years the volcanoes of the Cascades have built themselves skyward while the relentless erosive action … Continue reading →

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Mount Shasta, California

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Standing alone in north-central California, the stratovolcano known as Mount Shasta dominates the skyline and can be seen from over 100 miles (161 km) away. At 14,179 feet (4322 m) this peak is the second-highest in the volcanic Cascade Range, only 232 … Continue reading →

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Crater Lake National Park

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Around 7700 years ago the Oregon volcano known as Mount Mazama exploded in one of the most devastating eruptions known to man. Blasting about 3000 feet (914 m) of material from its summit, the ash fell as far as western Wyoming … Continue reading →

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Mount Hood, Oregon

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

If you’re ever lucky enough to fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) on a clear day, chances are you’ll be treated to a scenic view of Mount Hood. At 11,240 feet (3426 m) this stratovolcano is the highest point in the … Continue reading →

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Ranking and Reflecting on our National Parks at the Halfway Point

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Last month I finally passed the halfway point of seeing all 59 national parks in the United States (31 down, 28 to go). This seems like an appropriate time to pause and reflect on past visits. I thought I would provide … Continue reading →

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Big Bend National Park: Day 2, Part 2

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

After poking around the Chisos Basin in the morning, my wife and I headed out to trek across the western reaches of Big Bend National Park. We started down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and our first stop was Sotol … Continue reading →

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Lassen Fumaroles and Mudpots in Action

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Jeremy Sell

While photographs are sufficient to capture the grandeur of the volcanic peaks and scenic valleys of Lassen Volcanic National Park, active hydrothermal elements are better understood on video. These dynamic features are the result of groundwater that seeps down near … Continue reading →

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Lassen Volcanic National Park

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Jeremy Sell

Created in 1916, Lassen Volcanic National Park protects some of the most fascinating volcanic features to be found within the continental United States. Located in northeast California, this park encompasses well over a dozen Cascade Range volcanoes of all four … Continue reading →

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Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Jeremy Sell

Located in southeast Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park preserves nearly 2000 acres of beautiful rock formations amid the Great Basin Desert. Made up of lakebed and volcanic ash deposits that accumulated over millions of years, these sediments are now being … Continue reading →

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Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Jeremy Sell

Spanning 1800 square miles, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has produced over 600 volcanoes in north-central Arizona. In this area along the edge of the Colorado Plateau, differences in crustal thickness disrupt the flow of material in the underlying mantle. … Continue reading →

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Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Jeremy Sell

Located in northwestern New Mexico, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument preserves an amazing landscape of volcanic rock formations. Nestled among the Jemez Mountains, this region has experienced intermittent volcanic activity for the last 15 million years. The rocks present at … Continue reading →

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Mojave National Preserve

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Jeremy Sell

After a week of work in California, my coworkers and I spent the first part of our day off visiting Death Valley National Park. From there we continued our whirlwind Mojave Desert tour through Mojave National Preserve. We limited ourselves … Continue reading →

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Pinnacles National Monument Park

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Jeremy Sell

While in California on business last week my coworkers and I found time for a brief visit to Pinnacles National Monument.  Nestled in the Gabilan Range in the west-central part of the state, this site preserves a wonderland of scenic … Continue reading →

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Taiwan: Yangmingshan National Park

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Jeremy Sell

My wife and I recently returned from a vacation to Taiwan. One of the high points was Yangmingshan National Park, located in the mountains northeast of Taipei. This region is undergoing collision and subduction of various island arcs and tectonic plates. … Continue reading →

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A Destroyer Rests Again

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Jeremy Sell

The catastrophic eruption of Mount Saint Helens is something that has fascinated me since I was a kid.  This stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc began rumbling in March of 1980.  Small earthquakes, steam explosions, and cratering warned of impending … Continue reading →

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