El Malpais - lava tubes

El Malpais National Monument is perhaps best known for its volcanic features. Much of the park is covered with basaltic lava flows that locally contain lava tubes. Most of the tubes have limited extent and are filled with blocky rubble. Bats, snakes, rodents, and other wildlife take advantage of the cool shade and protection the lava tubes offer from the blazing heat of the summer and bitterly windy and cold weather of the winter.