Capulin Volcano - juniper is growing on top of a "push up"

This juniper is growing on top of a "push up" (also called a tumulus) on an old lava flow (NPS, 2010b). A pushup forms where molten lava flowing beneath a chilled surface of an active lava flow moves toward a weak point in the chilled surface and pushes the rock up and out of the way. Pushups can be seen forming today on active lava flows forming at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This pushup with a juniper tree on top is located next to the visitor center at Capulin Volcano National Monument.