El Calderon Lava Trench

Lava trenches form after lava tubes collapse during or shortly after volcanic eruptions

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

34.95959, -108.01163

Along the trail to the cinder cone, look for a deep, winding trench that begins at the mouth of the cinder cone volcano up ahead. This trench was created by a river of lava that breached the side of the cinder cone and swept cinder and lava several miles to the southeast. Lava trenches are formed in the same way as a lava tube, but the roof collapses shortly after the tube cools. Because more water collects in the bottom of the trench, trees are able to grow larger than their counterparts at the top of the trench.