Lava Butte, Cinder cone volcano in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon, US.
Lava Butte rises 500 feet above the surrounding terrain, featuring a 160-foot-deep crater at its northern summit and extensive basalt flows stretching westward.
The volcano formed during an eruption sequence approximately 7,000 years ago, creating a substantial lava flow that reached the Deschutes River and formed Lake Benham.
The United States Forest Service established a fire lookout tower on the summit in 1931, marking the beginning of continuous monitoring of the surrounding forest lands.
Visitors can drive up the paved road to the summit observation area, where interpretive signs explain the geological formations and regional volcanic activity.
In 1966, NASA selected this location as a training ground for twenty-two astronauts preparing for lunar missions due to its similar geological characteristics.
GPS coordinates: 43.91761,-121.35593
Latest update: March 4, 2025 09:58
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