Traveling Volcanos
The next phase in Death Valley's development was primarily influenced by volcanic activity that spanned much of the Tertiary Period (70-3 million years ago). As mountain building stretched the land surface, the crust was weakened. Hot, molten material beneath the surface welled up and erupted at these weak points. The seething volcanos first appeared to the northeast, in Nevada, and blanketed the Death Valley region with numerous layers of ash and cinders. The topography at that time consisted of gently rolling hills. Over time, the center of volcanic activity moved progressively westward, finally producing a chain of volcanos running from Furnace Creek to Shoshone. Secondary results of the ash and cinder eruptions include the vivid colors of the Artist's Palette and Death Valley's infamous borate mineral deposits.Previous - Next
Volcanic lands
| GLOSSARY | > lava, volcanic |