Volcano

Today, we discussed three particular volcanos: Paracutin (Mexico), Krakatoa (Indonesia) and Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake, Oregon).

Paractuin in essence was created over night February 20, 1943. It started with a fissure in the ground that opened 2 - 2.5 meters and grewing about 50m (150 ft) within 24 hours.

Students learned that Krakatoa carried 13,000 times the strength of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Chunks of pumice were carried by ocean currents to the coast of Madagascar that were the size of 3 meters (about the size of a VW Bug).

Mt. Mazama was far more destructive than Krakatoa, ... and it's in our backyard! We know it as Crater Lake. Scientist estimate that around 5,677 B.C. (+/- 150 years), Mt. Mazama erupted through two vents, causing the center third of the mountain to fall in on itself and down to the magma chamber. This explains the caldera (bowl) that we see today. Over time, the caldera has filled with snow and rain creating Crater Lake.

I plan on hiking here this summer! See you on the trail.


Cool huh?