The awesome effects of volcanism are evident throughout Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Over the past 15,000 years, lava eruptions created a rugged landscape that provides habitat for a surprising diversity of plants and animals in a high desert ecosystem. Preservation of the unique geological and biological features found here is the overriding purpose of the Monument. To that end, basic and applied scientific research, resource inventories, and monitoring of resource conditions play important roles in the identification, characterization, and interpretation of the Monument’s resources. ![]() AnimalsExplore the unexpected diversity of animal life at Craters of the Moon. ![]() PlantsDiscover how plants survive in a harsh volcanic landscape. ![]() Environmental FactorsLearn how both natural and human forces continue to alter Craters of the Moon. ![]() Natural Features & EcosystemsVast lava fields intersect with sagebrush desert to create a unique landscape. ![]() Conduct Research at CratersApply for a scientific research permit. |
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Last updated: January 28, 2023