# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CZppQ0Gvakn
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21025161-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/4a36f65188.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-06T21:19:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

Volcanoes are so hot right now…

Well, it is #VolcanoWeek! It’s hard not to be awed by a volcano (mountain-fountain). Molten rock—magma—making its way to the surface gives us a glimpse of the powerful forces that made Earth and continue to shape it today. The national parks protect these active processes and the volcanic features left behind from past activity. Watch these forces at work. Walk on ancient lava beds. Climb to the peaks of long-dormant craters. Learn more about volcanoes. All in your national parks.

Did you know that there is a volcano in Death Valley? Located in the northern part of the park, Ubehebe Crater is what is known as a maar volcano. Maar volcanoes are sometimes confused with meteorite impacts by casual observers. This crater was formed by an explosion (like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow…) which occurred when the pressure from underground steam blew away the rock layers above.

Geologically speaking, the crater is relatively young, with an estimated age of 2,100 years. It is an important cultural site for the Timbisha Shoshone people who have long called the Death Valley area home. Although it is an hour's drive from the main Furnace Creek area of the park, Ubehebe is well worth the detour.

Image: Aerial photo looking down on the colorful eroding walls of a crater in a desert landscape with a trail around the rim NPS/Birgitta Jansen @deathvalleynps 

#VolcanoWeek #FindYourPark #GeologyRocks #deathvalleynationalpark #california #volcano

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 49,802
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 143

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

deathvalleynationalpark, volcanoweek, volcano, california, geologyrocks, findyourpark

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