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Viewed from overhead, the gray and rubbly rhyolite lava domes of the Mono-Inyo Craters are interspersed with smooth patches of volcanic ash and scoria. In the distance, a snow-capped mountain range surrounds a broad lake.
Rhyolite lava domes of the Mono Craters
Rhyolite lava domes of the Mono Craters
Rhyolite lava domes of the Mono Craters

Mono Craters consists of a series of high-silica rhyolite lava domes, many erupted within the last 10,000 years. The domes are often steep, glassy, and contain very few phenocrysts.

Mono Craters consists of a series of high-silica rhyolite lava domes, many erupted within the last 10,000 years. The domes are often steep, glassy, and contain very few phenocrysts.

Model of reservoirs underneath Long Valley Caldera...
Model of reservoirs underneath Long Valley Caldera
Model of reservoirs underneath Long Valley Caldera
Model of reservoirs underneath Long Valley Caldera

Main hydrothermal features of the new (2016) 3-D model of the subsurface at Long Valley Caldera. This schematic is based on a survey of the electrical properties of the earth (magnetotellurics) below. Arrows show subsurface water flow, with colors keyed to changing water temperature, from blue (cold) to red (hot). Purple arrows show an extinct hot water pathway.

Main hydrothermal features of the new (2016) 3-D model of the subsurface at Long Valley Caldera. This schematic is based on a survey of the electrical properties of the earth (magnetotellurics) below. Arrows show subsurface water flow, with colors keyed to changing water temperature, from blue (cold) to red (hot). Purple arrows show an extinct hot water pathway.

Long Valley Caldera Range Front Fault Diagram...
Long Valley Caldera range-front faults terminate at the caldera bou...
Long Valley Caldera range-front faults terminate at the caldera bou...
Long Valley Caldera range-front faults terminate at the caldera bou...

This is a simplified diagram of regional range front faults as they intersect the Long Valley Caldera.

Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...

C1 and C3 are granitic crystal-melt mush (partially crystallized magma) columns that fed the most recent Mono Craters eruptions. The connection from C1 to South Coulée (SC) is older and colder than the connection from C3 to North Coulée (NC) and Panum Crater (PC), which carries hydrothermal fluid to the surface.

C1 and C3 are granitic crystal-melt mush (partially crystallized magma) columns that fed the most recent Mono Craters eruptions. The connection from C1 to South Coulée (SC) is older and colder than the connection from C3 to North Coulée (NC) and Panum Crater (PC), which carries hydrothermal fluid to the surface.

Hydrothermal system and water flow in the subsurface beneath Long V...
Hydrothermal system and water flow in the subsurface beneath Long V...
Hydrothermal system and water flow in the subsurface beneath Long V...
Hydrothermal system and water flow in the subsurface beneath Long V...

Hydrothermal system and water flow in the subsurface beneath Long Valley Caldera, California. Cartoon Illustration from USGS FS 2007-3045.

Graphic depicting the distribution of Yellowstone ash across the U....
Map of volcanic ash fall as a result of eruptions from Yellowstone,...
Map of volcanic ash fall as a result of eruptions from Yellowstone,...
Map of volcanic ash fall as a result of eruptions from Yellowstone,...

Map of volcanic ashfall. Areas of the United States that once were covered by volcanic ash from Yellowstone's giant eruptions 2 million and 630,000 years ago, compared with ashfall from the 760,000-year-old Long Valley caldera eruptions at Mammoth Lakes, California, and the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington.

Map of volcanic ashfall. Areas of the United States that once were covered by volcanic ash from Yellowstone's giant eruptions 2 million and 630,000 years ago, compared with ashfall from the 760,000-year-old Long Valley caldera eruptions at Mammoth Lakes, California, and the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington.

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