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Lava River Cave Interpretive Trail
Interpretive Trail
in
Coconino NF
near
Parks
,
AZ
Official Website
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Length
800ft
Surface
Unpaved Road
On the Web
On Official Website
This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave. Ample evidence of how the tube was born is written in the rocks of which it is formed. Small wave-like undulations in the floor are the remains of ripples frozen in the last trickle of molten rock that flowed from the cave. Stone icicles hanging from the ceiling show where a final blast of volcanic heat caused the rock to partially re-liquefy and drip. Dress appropriately when you come to visit, with warm clothes and sturdy shoes. The cave is as cool as 42° even in summer, and you may even find some ice inside. The rocks are always sharp and slippery, too. Bring two or three sources of light, in case one happens to fail, it can be very dark one mile from the nearest light source. Portions of the cave which were once defaced by graffiti have been cleaned up. Today's more environmentally aware visitors take better care of such a unique resource and report vandals when they see them.
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Lava Tube
Lava River Cave
Lava Tube
in
Coconino NF
near
Parks
,
AZ
Taxonomy
Classified As
Interpretive Trail
Ecology
Arizona Mountains Forests
Ecoregion
Arizona/New Mexico Mountains
Ecoregion
Montane Conifer Forests
Ecoregion
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