Puy de Dôme (1464 m), the highest peak of the Chaîne des Puys volcanic field, originated during a series of eruptions about 10,000 years ago. Explosive destruction of the eastern side of a massive lava dome, whose western face is seen in this photo, was followed by growth of a second dome. Crumbling of a spine capping the second dome formed the low mound of breccia at the summit of Puy de Dôme, which has been covered by a pyroclastic-flow deposit from nearby Killian volcano.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1978.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Chaîne des Puys