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--Volcano/Glacier Erosion 1915-Present Day--
Volcanic eruptions or glacier melting caused most of the train's shaping in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Volcanic eruptions or glacier melting caused most of the train's shaping in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Glaciers deepened major valleys, removed bedrock from large parts of the landscape, polished, scratched, and created or enlarged hundreds of lake basins.
Glaciers deepened major valleys, removed bedrock from large parts of the landscape, polished, scratched, and created or enlarged hundreds of lake basins.
There are not any glaciers there today. But had multiple glaciers in the past.
Geologic Map of Simplified -NPS
Snow at Mt. Lassen (looking down from the top of the mountain)
A photo I took when I visited in the summer of 2023
- The park's landscape is shaped by past glacial activity, with features like moraines and cirques evident.
- Volcanic processes and hydrothermal alterations have also influenced the terrain, contributing to erosion.
- The park's hydrology is crucial. It is the headwaters for four major watersheds that feed the Sacramento River and contain over 200 lakes, ponds, and 15 perennial streams.
- The park contains numerous lakes, ponds, and perennial streams.
- Closed basins near Lassen Peak contribute to groundwater systems that drain into lakes.
A snowblower blowing the snow off Highway 89
The snow removal team will have to remove up to 40 feet of snow pack1
Check out this cool video of @Catalin Popescu snowshoeing Lassen Peak in the winter!
--FIRE Erosion, Dixe Fire 2021--
View of Dixie Fire effects in Warner Valley from the Park Highway
Loss of Vegetative Cover
Loss of Vegetative Cover
The intense heat destroys plants and roots that naturally hold the soil together, leaving the bare ground to be washed away by rain and snowpack.
Area severely affected by fire
Hydrophobic Soil Conditions
Hydrophobic Soil Conditions
In some areas, the fire created a layer of hydrophobic (water-repellent) soil, which made erosion worse by increasing surface runoff.
Cold Boiling Lake Trailhead Sign Following the Dixie Fire
Ash and Sediment Movement
Ash and Sediment Movement
Post-fire storms can carry ash, debris, and loose soil into streams, causing sedimentation that affects water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Bumpass Hell basin during the Dixie Fire
Consequences for Lassen Volcanic National Park
Consequences for Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Altered Geology and Ecosystems: Erosion can reshape the park's geologic features, fill in valleys, or create gullies, leading to habitat changes.
- Flooding and Landslides: Without vegetation to absorb water, the risk of flash flooding and landslides increases.
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