Day 3

Oregon’s Largest Volcano
 

Day 3

            The day begins with a journey to Newberry Volcanic National Monument. We were greeted by Lead Ranger Christina introducing us to the visitor’s center that provided information about the area that covers over 1,200 square miles. Newberry itself is named after Dr. Newberry who studied the volcano and native plant and animal life. Even though Newberry’s highest elevation is 7,984 feet tall; most of the volcano rests underground. This is because Newberry is a caldera which means that when the volcano erupts, it blows lava and ashes thru the sides before the top. The volcano would dig itself deeper into the ground. Around 1,300 years ago was Newberry’s last eruption and still remains as an active volcano. The volcano is dated 400,000 years old with a history of Native Americans traveling to the site every season for hunting purposes that date 10,000 years ago. At the summit of the volcano rest two lakes called Paulina Lake and Newberry +zCaldera similar to Crater Lake. At one point the two lakes were one giant lake before erupting and splitting the lake into two.

            Newberry itself did not become a national monument until November 5^th, 1990 which was signed by President George H.W. Bush with the help of the Oregon Forest Service. For the last 25 years, the Oregon Forest Service has preserved the site allowing wildlife to return the area and repopulate. Several species of squirrel, birds, deer, weasel, and rodents have returned to the site. Volunteer Ranger George explained about natural resources that were release from Newberry which can be found as far as 5 miles away. Natural resources that can be found on Newberry National Volcanic Monument include obsidian and lava rock miles around and underground. 

 The last great event of the day was entering the Lava River Cave. Again we are greeted by Lead Ranger Christina explaining that lava flowed deep within the earth’s crust and was forced out over land creating this cave. As our group of students walked down stairs to venture thru the cave, we are welcomed by pitch black darkness. With our handy headlamps providing bright light to see what’s in front of ourselves. The cave is a wide gaping hole with over 10 feet of head room and plenty of walking space for groups of 4 to walk side by side. Water drips from the ceiling forming puddles in some areas. Sulfur covers the walls and rocks giving a musty smell. We travel over a mile into cave as the opening gets narrower. It was experience I never had before.