| Caption: |
Aerial view of Crater Lake, Oregon, which was produced by an explosive eruption of Mount Mazama around 7700 years ago. Crater Lake is 8 by 10 km (5 by 6 mi.) across and almost 600 m (2000 ft.) deep, making it the second deepest lake in North America. Originally a composite volcano around 1200 m (4000 ft.) higher than it is today, the explosion and subsequent collapse of the caldera took place in an eruption that was 42 times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Each year close to 500,000 people visit Crater Lake National Park. (Courtesy of USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory) |
