Great Balls of Fire - Deschutes County, Oregon
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 43° 54.718 W 121° 21.474
10T E 631849 N 4863405
This geology sign is located along The Trail of the Molten Lands at Lava Lands Visitor Center.
Waymark Code: WMEVDN
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2012
Views: 7
Geology sign about lava balls on the 7000 year old flow. Sign was installed in June 2012 as part of an ADA upgrade of the trail.
Marker Name: Great Balls of Fire
Marker Text: ”Snowballs” of Lava
Believe it or not, these giant boulders in front of you started as just small chunks of molten rock. As these pieces broke off the sides of the molten river channel, they rolled and tumbled through the flow, growing in size as they moved. Much like a snowball rolling downhill and growing larger as more snow sticks to it. As you continue up the trail you are following the path these lava balls took thousands of years ago.
On the inside, these boulders resemble cinnamon rolls, providing clues on how they formed.
Once lodged into place along the channel walls, the lava flows will continue to envelop and coat the lava ball creating an outer crust of basalt. Each layer forms up to four inches thick.
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