Interesting to see this place in the winter with snow! I kept hoping that you would tie in an "underground" tomography view of this part of Idaho to see how the lava plume shape conforms with the Snake River Plain and other volcanic features to the north. Ever since I saw that graphic a few years ago I have been trying to visualize. That might make an interesting video in the future? As ever, I really appreciate all your content (and the fact that you keep it shorter, lol)!
Love the field trips. Idaho tourism should pay Shawn to do these. A place I would like to visit some day. Perhaps not incidentally , my Mt. Allison University Geo 100 field trip was to Parsborro and Joggins. Shawn will know about these places , but a google search by any viewers would be a worthwhile excursion.
Ha, that would be great. Sarah Rohrbach runs Southern Idaho Tourism if you want to track her down and pitch the idea. Otherwise, I'm happy to spread geology knowledge as best I can.
One of the coolest things about Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption was the 24/7 webcams and all the people making videos there was watching this type of landscape form in real-time.
Thank you, Shawn! I visited COTM last August and found the area incredibly fascinating. I had only a few hours to explore the area, but next time I go I’ll plan to spend a couple of days to look around.
WOW.... an 'eye opener'!! I've never paid much attention to COTM, or investigated... Maybe due to the 'Name', I envisioned meteor craters... So glad you 'posted', and I 'clicked'!!! Very cool!!
Was part of my western US tour in 71. Left Yellowstone after a week, headed towards Lake Tahoe, and ARCO Idaho (first nuclear city); and Craters of the moon were on our path. Real freaky place when you get out far enough and see no other landscape.
This is such a great place. I need to get there again one day. I heard it hasn't changed very much since the last time I was there in 1979. 2100 year old volcanism that was on the Earth's slow cooker's lowest setting.
Yes indeed. Because cinder cones erupt cinders (rather than fine ash), you can actually infer the wind conditions on the day (or days) of eruption based on the location of the cinders, shape of cone, and shape of crater. Very cool!
My theory, and it's only a theory not backed up by any fact is that the mountain ranges were continuous. But as the crust passed over the Yellowstone hot spot, the super eruptions that occurred caused the mountain ranges to collapse and form the Snake River plain at the end of each eruption as the caldera roof collapsed. Again, I have no fact. The people at the YVO have stated there will be smaller eruptions of the Yellowstone Volcano since the last major, and with my theory, there has been with Craters of the Moon being the site of those smaller eruptions. That can be confirmed by analysis of the lava at Craters of the Moon to see if it's similar to Yellowstone lave.
You're correct about the origin of the Snake River Plain. You're wrong about the basaltic lava origin. The basaltic lava coming up is due to Basin and Range extension. Same origin as the vast majority of volcanic fields in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho. Half-grabens are formed and melt comes up along the normal faults.
Thanks for the great videos! Can we expect to see more volcanic eruptions at some of these locations (or elsewhere in the Snake River plain) in the future?
I'm guessing that under the snow at Inferno Cone, we might be able to see some evidence of the wind sorting larger gloops of magma from smaller ones-- the closer to the actual vent, we should expect to see bigger "globs" welded together, and smaller globs welded together further away?
Actually Inferno Cone is mainly cinders (smaller than a golf ball), suggesting that the vent may have had a nozzle effect and jetted smaller clots of lava. However, Broken Top Cone (mentioned in video) a mile or so south shows exactly what you mention: globs or clots of lava (up to beachball size) that flattened and welded upon impact. Maybe I'll do a video there soon. Good idea!
Nice video Shawn. Beautiful snowy winter views, spectacular volcanic features. Appreciate the detail, interesting your explanation. ....Talking about earthquakes and such, what do you know of the Turkey event tragedy ? It seems to have been a transform event , one section sliding past another similar to the California structure perhaps ??
Glad you enjoyed the video. I did some analysis on the Turkey quakes as the EQ sequence was interesting. Such a tragedy though. Yes, both the 7.8 and 7.5 were on transform (or strike-slip) faults, but there appears to be two faults that ruptured. Possibly the main 7.8 shock triggered the 7.5 on the other fault. The quake data clearly shows an E-W trend and a SW-NE trend. I hadn't planned on doing anything with this on UA-cam but could maybe do a livestream if there is interest.
Very interesting. I heard that the yellowstone hotspot made the valley but I never believed it as I wondered how. Thanks for the explanation! I want to visit these some day. Question, are you going to do a video on the earthquake that hit Turkey? Would love to learn about it's seismic history and why it struck there, how often it occurs, etc. Also, I saw a guy who "predicted" the turkey earthquake based on the planets/moon alignment. I can see the additional gravitational pulls having some effect on the mantle like those bodies can on water creating the tides going in and out daily. Then cause stress for the plates which then buckles now and then after slowly moving and just needing that additional stress to buckle. What are your thoughts on that as a geologist?
I discussed Turkey quake in my classes but did not do a video (sorry). The stress of planetary/moon alignment is WAY more miniscule compared to larger tectonic stresses and can largely be ignored. There is no way to reliably predict earthquakes but there are plenty of folks making money by overhyping and creating sensationalism.
lol, I want a test done. Walking time 1 mile normal tennis shoes > in snow > bare lava bed > hot sand dune. I'm seriously wondering if snow would be fastest. I hated walking Craters, kind of miserable when you go off the path, hands even get cut up from uneven footing and wobbling over. @ShawnWIllsey Has anyone explained the striations that run the span of the valley and follow its length? Very noticeable @ 43°59'20.10"N112°19'23.57"W Pretty much right on top of a very old eruption that by the look of it, was cleaved post eruption. The striations continue in obvious parallel sequences that "appear" to be glacial, but could also be extension. Thought?
But why is there crustal extension with it running from Idaho to Mexico? And does that tie in with crustal rotation being measure in the Northwest yet ending in Canada. Thanks for the video. Nice to see you have sun and blue sky over there.
Leading model is that Basin and Range extension caused by the Pacific plate moving northwest, pulling on the edge of the North American plate and creating E-W extension.
A rift in North America. I just think that's so cool! Hopefully we'll get to see it build a new cone one day! Obviously the volcanism story dominates the Snake River Plane, but do you know anything about the phosphoria deposits through southern Idaho, northern Utah and Nevada? Obviously you know I'm interested in the chert story there. 😁
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Your videos are always so informative and it is fun to vicariously travel to these sites. Thanks for your efforts!
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.
Gorgeous! We absolutely love your videos, I often wish they were longer .. thank you so much for making them!
The cartoon is very helpful. You're expanding our awareness of where to enjoy winter too. 👍🏻
Interesting to see this place in the winter with snow! I kept hoping that you would tie in an "underground" tomography view of this part of Idaho to see how the lava plume shape conforms with the Snake River Plain and other volcanic features to the north. Ever since I saw that graphic a few years ago I have been trying to visualize. That might make an interesting video in the future? As ever, I really appreciate all your content (and the fact that you keep it shorter, lol)!
Love the field trips. Idaho tourism should pay Shawn to do these. A place I would like to visit some day. Perhaps not incidentally , my Mt. Allison University Geo 100 field trip was to Parsborro and Joggins. Shawn will know about these places , but a google search by any viewers would be a worthwhile excursion.
Ha, that would be great. Sarah Rohrbach runs Southern Idaho Tourism if you want to track her down and pitch the idea. Otherwise, I'm happy to spread geology knowledge as best I can.
Chart mini-lectures in the field are just the best.
One of the coolest things about Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption was the 24/7 webcams and all the people making videos there was watching this type of landscape form in real-time.
Thank you, Shawn! I visited COTM last August and found the area incredibly fascinating. I had only a few hours to explore the area, but next time I go I’ll plan to spend a couple of days to look around.
Very fascinating. A volcano field under a thick layer of snow is awesome!
Enjoy your classes and field trips. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you, Shawn. Your cartoon was very enlightening.
Excellent - just now saw with your cartoon - how the snake river plain marks the path of the hot spot ! Thanks
Looks fabulous in the snow thank you
WOW.... an 'eye opener'!! I've never paid much attention to COTM, or investigated... Maybe due to the 'Name', I envisioned meteor craters... So glad you 'posted', and I 'clicked'!!! Very cool!!
As a southerner you can keep your snow. My wife and I visited in the summer and really enjoyed it.
❤ so appreciative. Thank you, Shawn!
I am loving these videos on utah and idaho. Thank you and keep it up!
Thx for the cartoon map and a grt geology adventure. ✌
Great info
Was part of my western US tour in 71. Left Yellowstone after a week, headed towards Lake Tahoe, and ARCO Idaho (first nuclear city); and Craters of the moon were on our path. Real freaky place when you get out far enough and see no other landscape.
AWESOME" Thanks for Sharing!
thanks for all you do! Just watched Fraser Cane interview a guy about exploring the caves/craters on the moon. "Craters of the Moon" lol
Thank you again! 👍🏼❤️
Thank you.
This is such a great place. I need to get there again one day. I heard it hasn't changed very much since the last time I was
there in 1979. 2100 year old volcanism that was on the Earth's slow cooker's lowest setting.
Great information!
Thanks!
That was cool! It never occurred to me that wind might affect volcanic structures.
Yes indeed. Because cinder cones erupt cinders (rather than fine ash), you can actually infer the wind conditions on the day (or days) of eruption based on the location of the cinders, shape of cone, and shape of crater. Very cool!
I used to live in Idaho Falls, once I was hunting maybe 3 miles west when I saw steam coming from ground
Very nice.
Enjoyed this video..
You should check out trees in NZ. They only have branches on the downwind side of the trunk. Kind of like a feather with one side missing.
My theory, and it's only a theory not backed up by any fact is that the mountain ranges were continuous. But as the crust passed over the Yellowstone hot spot, the super eruptions that occurred caused the mountain ranges to collapse and form the Snake River plain at the end of each eruption as the caldera roof collapsed. Again, I have no fact. The people at the YVO have stated there will be smaller eruptions of the Yellowstone Volcano since the last major, and with my theory, there has been with Craters of the Moon being the site of those smaller eruptions. That can be confirmed by analysis of the lava at Craters of the Moon to see if it's similar to Yellowstone lave.
You're correct about the origin of the Snake River Plain.
You're wrong about the basaltic lava origin.
The basaltic lava coming up is due to Basin and Range extension. Same origin as the vast majority of volcanic fields in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho. Half-grabens are formed and melt comes up along the normal faults.
@@davidpnewton Good to know.
Thanks Shawn, another great video!
Idaho is so cool. We gotta quit telling people though...if anyone asks tell 'em it sucks
Thanks for the great videos! Can we expect to see more volcanic eruptions at some of these locations (or elsewhere in the Snake River plain) in the future?
Absolutely. The system is still considered active. Future eruptions of basaltic lava will happen. Hopefully in our lifetime.
I'm guessing that under the snow at Inferno Cone, we might be able to see some evidence of the wind sorting larger gloops of magma from smaller ones-- the closer to the actual vent, we should expect to see bigger "globs" welded together, and smaller globs welded together further away?
Actually Inferno Cone is mainly cinders (smaller than a golf ball), suggesting that the vent may have had a nozzle effect and jetted smaller clots of lava. However, Broken Top Cone (mentioned in video) a mile or so south shows exactly what you mention: globs or clots of lava (up to beachball size) that flattened and welded upon impact. Maybe I'll do a video there soon. Good idea!
Nice video Shawn. Beautiful snowy winter views, spectacular volcanic features. Appreciate the detail, interesting your explanation. ....Talking about earthquakes and such, what do you know of the Turkey event tragedy ? It seems to have been a transform event , one section sliding past another similar to the California structure perhaps ??
Glad you enjoyed the video. I did some analysis on the Turkey quakes as the EQ sequence was interesting. Such a tragedy though. Yes, both the 7.8 and 7.5 were on transform (or strike-slip) faults, but there appears to be two faults that ruptured. Possibly the main 7.8 shock triggered the 7.5 on the other fault. The quake data clearly shows an E-W trend and a SW-NE trend. I hadn't planned on doing anything with this on UA-cam but could maybe do a livestream if there is interest.
Many thanks. Yes it is very interesting. The Mediterreanian seems to be quite a complex area.
I hope you can do a report on Quake Lake sometime. It’s a little bit west of Yellowstone. It’s interesting to me.
Yes, the 1959 Hebgen Lake quake, landslide, and subsequent lake would be great content. Nice suggestion.
Fingers crossed that the Tea Kettle cave video is coming soon!
It's not on my list but could be added. Need some spring weather and drier roads. Stay tuned!
🔥🔥🔥
Very interesting. I heard that the yellowstone hotspot made the valley but I never believed it as I wondered how. Thanks for the explanation! I want to visit these some day.
Question, are you going to do a video on the earthquake that hit Turkey? Would love to learn about it's seismic history and why it struck there, how often it occurs, etc.
Also, I saw a guy who "predicted" the turkey earthquake based on the planets/moon alignment. I can see the additional gravitational pulls having some effect on the mantle like those bodies can on water creating the tides going in and out daily. Then cause stress for the plates which then buckles now and then after slowly moving and just needing that additional stress to buckle. What are your thoughts on that as a geologist?
I discussed Turkey quake in my classes but did not do a video (sorry). The stress of planetary/moon alignment is WAY more miniscule compared to larger tectonic stresses and can largely be ignored. There is no way to reliably predict earthquakes but there are plenty of folks making money by overhyping and creating sensationalism.
lol, I want a test done. Walking time 1 mile normal tennis shoes > in snow > bare lava bed > hot sand dune. I'm seriously wondering if snow would be fastest. I hated walking Craters, kind of miserable when you go off the path, hands even get cut up from uneven footing and wobbling over. @ShawnWIllsey Has anyone explained the striations that run the span of the valley and follow its length? Very noticeable @ 43°59'20.10"N112°19'23.57"W Pretty much right on top of a very old eruption that by the look of it, was cleaved post eruption. The striations continue in obvious parallel sequences that "appear" to be glacial, but could also be extension. Thought?
These are the product of wind deposition and erosion. Southwest prevailing winds parallel to the Snake River Plain.
But why is there crustal extension with it running from Idaho to Mexico? And does that tie in with crustal rotation being measure in the Northwest yet ending in Canada. Thanks for the video. Nice to see you have sun and blue sky over there.
Leading model is that Basin and Range extension caused by the Pacific plate moving northwest, pulling on the edge of the North American plate and creating E-W extension.
❤❤❤❤❤
Had to rewind a few times as my telemark brain overcame my geology brain but they probably frown on that type of thing.
A rift in North America. I just think that's so cool! Hopefully we'll get to see it build a new cone one day!
Obviously the volcanism story dominates the Snake River Plane, but do you know anything about the phosphoria deposits through southern Idaho, northern Utah and Nevada? Obviously you know I'm interested in the chert story there. 😁
Just sent you an email with a link to a presentation on chert that I think you will like.
Thank you
You bet. Thanks for watching.
Thanks!
Thanks for your kind donation in support of my field videos. Much appreciated.