Happy 71, Tom! (August 9, 2022--Part 2)

On our way back to Mt. Shasta City from Umpqua Hot Springs, we stopped at Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet, is the deepest lake in the United States. Located in Oregon's "Ring of Fire," known for its volcanic activity, the lake and surrounding area were created when Mount Mazama collapsed into itself during a massive eruption in 5700 BCE.

To preserve the lake's pristine condition, no boating or swimming is allowed. See the boat far below? Perhaps it's a patrol boat? Marine biologists?

Here's the boat again, magnified 10X with my phone camera.

I'm always amazed by how life forms can adapt.

Believe it or not, these pinnacles are dozens of feet high. The formations rise up in the ravine below, formed of conglomerate-type rocks - compressed pumice and ash from long ago volcanic eruptions. Once when these rocks formed a thick, unbroken layer, hot gases escaping from below created long, narrow holes (fumaroles) surrounded by a heat-hardened lining, now left exposed as the softer deposits have eroded away.