Monumental Breakthrough EarthCache
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Explore the wonder and beauty of a dramatic volcanic landscape on Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, an All-American Road which stretches from Crater Lake in Oregon to Mount Lassen in California, making this byway America's Volcano to Volcano highway.
A giant 12,000 foot volcanic peak historically reigned over the landscape in front of you, but instability of the underlying ground caused its violent collapse. A massive crater-like bowl marked by eight prominent peaks are all that remain. Today this tranquil area is known as Mountain Lakes Wilderness.
A caldera is a large depression in the land surface caused by the collapse of land into an emptied magma chamber as a result of magma being withdrawn or erupted from the chamber.
From your vantage point you are looking at a large caldera miles in the distance. To log this Earthcache please answer the following questions:
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Based upon the landscape, what two peaks form the ridgeline of the caldera?
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Approximately how far apart are these peaks? How did you estimate this?
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To your left, in the distance, is a large snow covered mountain. Based upon information available at the scene, what is this mountain?
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Calderas frequently have cones created by uplift as the surrounding material subsides. What evidence do you see of a central cone, or what name is given to this feature (based upon materials at the location)?
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Optional: Provide a picture of the caldera.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Cnex va gur fpravp ivrjvat nern.