Water partially fills a phreatic crater formed on the northern flank of Mammoth Mountain, the snow-covered peak in the background. This and other nearby craters were formed by explosive eruptions about 700 years ago that were distinct from nearby eruptions at the southern end of the Inyo Craters. The Mammoth Mountain craters, some of which lie within the Mammoth Mountain ski area, are oriented NW-SE at the northern base of Mammoth Mountain.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).

This image is made available under the Public Domain Dedication CC0 license, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Mammoth Mountain