News from the Field: Day 8--Mono Basin Volcanoes

We got an early start this morning, in order to make the long drive north to Lee Vining, to start our first encounter with Mono Lake. We met Brett Pyle, a geologist with the Mono Lake Committee, a dynamic community organization dedicated to the protection of Mono Lake. Brett spent the morning with us and shared his knowledge of Mono Basin volcanism. We hiked up to Black Point, a young volcanic center at the edge of Mono Lake. Black Point provided an excellent vantage point for an overview of Mono Lake, and an interesting example of an underwater volcano. We shared lunch with Brett at the pastoral setting of Mono County Park, overlooking Mono Lake. We drove south to Panum Crater, the youngest of the Mono Basin volcanoes at only 500 years ago. An exciting hike through the volcano's obsidian dome and a long drive home. A hot dinner awaited us, followed by an evening trip to the laundromat and a midnight walk under the full moon.

May 25th

*Adam Schau starts the day with a hearty breakfast!*
*The group starts the day with a long trudge up the Black Point volcano.*
*And enjoys the beautiful view from the summit*
*Brett Pyle (Mono Lake Committee) gives us an overview of Mono Basin volcanism*
*As the group works on the field notes...*
*A beautiful view of Mono Lake, with Negit Island (America's youngest volcano!) in the foreground*
*John Schuman looks over the enigmatic Black Point Fissures--possibly the result of fracturing of a submarine volcanic system. Wow!*
*Sarah Rapp, Leslie Schaffer, and Adam Schau climb down into the fissures*
*Brandy Anglen at the bottom of the fissures*
*The group climbs (carefully!) out of the fissures, as John Rupp looks on.*
*Adam Schau takes his own route...*
*John Rupp and Megan Fonde record some observations from the edge of the fissures.*
*Leslie Schaffer works on her field book, with the Sierras in the background*
*The group shares a peaceful lunch at the Mono County Park*
*Brandy chats with a furry friend while lunching at the park.*
*L is for Long Valley!!!*
*Off to Panum Crater, voted America's most adorable volcano!*
*With a beautiful view of Mono Lake from the south...*
*And a spectacular example of an obsidian plug inside an explosive crater*
*Lots neat 'bread-crust' structures on the obsidian boulders*
*A difficult climb down through the talus...*
*While the rest of the group waits on the tephra ring*
*The happy crew at the end of the long hike down!*
*View the panorama of Mono Basin from the top of Black Point [2.3 MB]*	Click here