Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/craters-moon-volcanic-field
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field | U.S. Geological Survey
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Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
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Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
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Craters of the Moon volcanic field lies at the northwest margin of the Idaho's eastern Snake River Plain.
Quick Facts
Location:
Idaho, Snake River Plain
Latitude:
43.42° N
Longitude:
113.5° W
Elevation:
2,005 (m) 6,578 (f)
Volcano type:
Cinder cones
Composition:
Basalt
Threat Potential:
Low/Very Low*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
The northern part of the Craters of the Moon laps up against the White Knob and Pioneer Mountains. As the largest volcanic field in the region, it covers about 1600 km
2
(620 mi
2
) and contains more than 60 discernible lava flows that were erupted from one fissure system during eight episodes over the past approximately 15 k.y. About 25 cinder
cones, up to 250-m (820-ft) high, formed primarily along a 45-km-long (28-mi-long) segment of the Great Rift volcanic rift zone, the principal 2-8 km (1.2-5 mi) wide fissure system that trends northwest to southeast through Craters of the Moon National Monument. The eight eruptive episodes that formed the field occurred between about 15,000 and 2,000 years ago and were separated by quiescent periods averaging about 2,000 years in duration. The Craters of the Moon volcanic field is a polygenetic group of lava flows, meaning that it erupted multiple times. This contrasts with other Snake River Plain lava fields, which were formed during single eruptive episodes of relatively short duration; they are monogenetic lava fields.
The Big Buttes of the Eastern Snake River Plain
December 4, 2023
The Big Buttes of the Eastern Snake River Plain
Craters of the Moon: Idaho's last (and next?) volcanic eruption
February 4, 2019
Craters of the Moon: Idaho's last (and next?) volcanic eruption
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
January 1, 1986
Contrasting magma types and steady-state, volume-predictable, basaltic volcanism along the Great Rift, Idaho
Contrasting magma types and steady-state, volume-predictable, basaltic volcanism along the Great Rift, Idaho
The Great Rift is an 85-km-long, 2- to 8-km-wide volcanic rift zone in the Snake River Plain, Idaho. Three latest Pleistocene to Holocene basaltic lava fields, Craters of the Moon, Kings Bowl, and Wapi, are located along the Great Rift. The Craters of the Moon lava field is a composite of more than 60 lava flows, 25 cinder cones, and at least 8 eruptive fissure systems. It covers 1,600...
Authors
M. A. Kuntz, D.E. Champion, E.C. Spiker, R.H. Lefebvre
By
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Wapi Lava Field
November 9, 2023
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
When the Craters of the Moon volcanic field erupts again, it will likely display a variety of eruption styles from high lava fountaining to quiet outpouring of lava flows.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
November 9, 2023
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
When the Craters of the Moon volcanic field erupts again, it will likely display a variety of eruption styles from high lava fountaining to quiet outpouring of lava flows.
Learn More
October 9, 2023
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
The Craters of the Moon volcanic field will erupt again, probably within the next few centuries if the recurrence interval of about 2,000 years is sustained.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
October 9, 2023
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
The Craters of the Moon volcanic field will erupt again, probably within the next few centuries if the recurrence interval of about 2,000 years is sustained.
Learn More
Quick Facts
Location:
Idaho, Snake River Plain
Latitude:
43.42° N
Longitude:
113.5° W
Elevation:
2,005 (m) 6,578 (f)
Volcano type:
Cinder cones
Composition:
Basalt
Threat Potential:
Low/Very Low*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Find U.S. Volcano
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
Results
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Settings
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
x
Map Legend
x
Map Legend
Results
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Home
Science
Multimedia
Publications
News
Connect
Craters of the Moon volcanic field lies at the northwest margin of the Idaho's eastern Snake River Plain.
Quick Facts
Location:
Idaho, Snake River Plain
Latitude:
43.42° N
Longitude:
113.5° W
Elevation:
2,005 (m) 6,578 (f)
Volcano type:
Cinder cones
Composition:
Basalt
Threat Potential:
Low/Very Low*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
The northern part of the Craters of the Moon laps up against the White Knob and Pioneer Mountains. As the largest volcanic field in the region, it covers about 1600 km
2
(620 mi
2
) and contains more than 60 discernible lava flows that were erupted from one fissure system during eight episodes over the past approximately 15 k.y. About 25 cinder
cones, up to 250-m (820-ft) high, formed primarily along a 45-km-long (28-mi-long) segment of the Great Rift volcanic rift zone, the principal 2-8 km (1.2-5 mi) wide fissure system that trends northwest to southeast through Craters of the Moon National Monument. The eight eruptive episodes that formed the field occurred between about 15,000 and 2,000 years ago and were separated by quiescent periods averaging about 2,000 years in duration. The Craters of the Moon volcanic field is a polygenetic group of lava flows, meaning that it erupted multiple times. This contrasts with other Snake River Plain lava fields, which were formed during single eruptive episodes of relatively short duration; they are monogenetic lava fields.
The Big Buttes of the Eastern Snake River Plain
December 4, 2023
The Big Buttes of the Eastern Snake River Plain
Craters of the Moon: Idaho's last (and next?) volcanic eruption
February 4, 2019
Craters of the Moon: Idaho's last (and next?) volcanic eruption
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
January 1, 1986
Contrasting magma types and steady-state, volume-predictable, basaltic volcanism along the Great Rift, Idaho
Contrasting magma types and steady-state, volume-predictable, basaltic volcanism along the Great Rift, Idaho
The Great Rift is an 85-km-long, 2- to 8-km-wide volcanic rift zone in the Snake River Plain, Idaho. Three latest Pleistocene to Holocene basaltic lava fields, Craters of the Moon, Kings Bowl, and Wapi, are located along the Great Rift. The Craters of the Moon lava field is a composite of more than 60 lava flows, 25 cinder cones, and at least 8 eruptive fissure systems. It covers 1,600...
Authors
M. A. Kuntz, D.E. Champion, E.C. Spiker, R.H. Lefebvre
By
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Wapi Lava Field
November 9, 2023
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
When the Craters of the Moon volcanic field erupts again, it will likely display a variety of eruption styles from high lava fountaining to quiet outpouring of lava flows.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
November 9, 2023
Volcanic Hazards from the Region Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
When the Craters of the Moon volcanic field erupts again, it will likely display a variety of eruption styles from high lava fountaining to quiet outpouring of lava flows.
Learn More
October 9, 2023
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
The Craters of the Moon volcanic field will erupt again, probably within the next few centuries if the recurrence interval of about 2,000 years is sustained.
By
Cascades Volcano Observatory
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
October 9, 2023
Future Eruptions Around Craters of the Moon Lava Field
The Craters of the Moon volcanic field will erupt again, probably within the next few centuries if the recurrence interval of about 2,000 years is sustained.
Learn More
Quick Facts
Location:
Idaho, Snake River Plain
Latitude:
43.42° N
Longitude:
113.5° W
Elevation:
2,005 (m) 6,578 (f)
Volcano type:
Cinder cones
Composition:
Basalt
Threat Potential:
Low/Very Low*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?