April 25, 2024 - 500,000 years ago the earth opened. Cracking and sputtering it released liquid rock and rivers of fire across the landscape. Intermittent eruptions over thousands of year layered the land, leaving intricate caves, cones, craters, and black, jagged blankets of lava. The Modoc called this "the land of burnt out fires". This was their home and center of their world. Eruptions occuring 30,000 to 40,000 years ago formed over 900 lava tube caves found in the park. Lava tubes form when streams of hot flowing lava start to cool. The centr of the stream stays hot and continues to flow as the outside begins to cool and harden. The hot lava drains out, leaving a pipe-shaped cave. Multiple eruptions can stack caves on top of one another creating multi-level caves. When a lava tube ceiling collapses, it opens access to the cave below. Valentine Cave
Heppe Ice Cave
Skull Cave
Big Painted Cave
Symbol Bridge
Natural Lava Tent Enclosure
Merrill Ice Cave
Fresh Spring of Water deep below the cave
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The Modoc used this landscape and caves to their advantage until they were removed against their will by the U.S. Army in the early 1870's, using them as shelter and as sources of valuable water. The petroglyphs found in only a few caves inspire wonder. Perhaps the caves were centers of spiritual ritual practice as well.
Petroglyphs from Symbol Bridge
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