Dwarf Forest, Mount Lassen, California
Lassen National Park is located in northeastern California about 40 miles east of Redding. The centerpiece of this park is Lassen Peak, a dormant volcano. Lassen last erupted in 1914 and was the most recent eruption in the 48 states until Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980. Lassen is defined as a plug-dome volcano and is only one of hundreds of volcanoes found along the "Ring of Fire." The ring is made of hundreds of volcanoes that surround the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of years ago, there was an even larger volcano called Mount Tehama. Tehama exploded a long time ago and Lassen is now king. Lassen has many volcanic features including geothermal vents and cinder cones.
You are now standing in the far edges of the Dwarf Forest at the foot of the Chaos Jumbles. Located near the park's northern entrance, these trees are special because they are relatively short and spread out compared to the old growth forests in other areas of the park. All of the rock you see in the park is volcanic in origin. This area is famous because it is close to the jumbles. About 300 years ago, one of the dacite domes (type of rock) collapsed and left the striking rock outcrops in the distance.
Image Credit: Andrew Rader Studios
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