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Global Volcanism Program | Image GVP-03187

The spectacular 8 x 10 km wide Crater Lake caldera was formed about 6850 years ago when Mount Mazama, a complex of overlapping shield volcanoes and stratovolcanoes, collapsed following a major explosive eruption.  The eruption blanketed a huge area with ash falls and produced pyroclastic flows that swept all sides of the volcano.  This wide-angle view is from the west caldera rim with the post-caldera cone of Wizard Island in the foreground. Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1989.

The spectacular 8 x 10 km wide Crater Lake caldera was formed about 6850 years ago when Mount Mazama, a complex of overlapping shield volcanoes and stratovolcanoes, collapsed following a major explosive eruption. The eruption blanketed a huge area with ash falls and produced pyroclastic flows that swept all sides of the volcano. This wide-angle view is from the west caldera rim with the post-caldera cone of Wizard Island in the foreground.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1989.

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


Crater Lake