Basaltic column tops polished by glaciers 20,000 years ago. Devils Postpile NM, Mammoth Lakes, California, USA.

Basaltic column tops polished by glaciers in Devils Postpile National Monument, near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, USA. These basaltic columns formed underground about 90,000 years ago when hot lava dammed behind a moraine. As the lava lake cooled and shrank, cracks extending from the top and bottom merged to form vertical columns which were hidden underground. 20,000 years ago, grinding glaciers scalped and polished the hexagonal tops. We hiked from Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls in a loop for 6 miles with 780 feet gain in Inyo National Forest.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: 2108CA1-609-610-Pano.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5211x3908 / 9.5MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; California North America PhotoBest Sierra Nevada Mountains USA United States of America abstract landscape nature outdoor pattern
Contained in galleries: California: Sierras: Inyo National Forest, Highlights 2021, USA: California favorites, 2021 Aug 1-Sep 12: CA Sierras, CO, NE, SD

Basaltic column tops polished by glaciers in Devils Postpile National Monument, near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, USA. These basaltic columns formed underground about 90,000 years ago when hot lava dammed behind a moraine. As the lava lake cooled and shrank, cracks extending from the top and bottom merged to form vertical columns which were hidden underground. 20,000 years ago, grinding glaciers scalped and polished the hexagonal tops. We hiked from Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls in a loop for 6 miles with 780 feet gain in Inyo National Forest.