Look at a contour map of Idaho and you’ll immediately notice something unusual: while the majority of the state is mountainous, a large, flat arc sweeps from west to east across the south. Why?

Lava.

As the earth’s tectonic plates slide over the hot spot which currently sits directly underneath Yellowstone National Park, great volumes of lava have, over time, emanated from a series of deep fissures (the Great Rift), crossing the Snake River Plain and creating a vast ocean of rock along the way. The Snake River, which once flowed across the northern portion of the Plain, has been pushed further and further south by volcanic activity.

This activity is fairly recent, geologically speaking, beginning about 15,000 years ago. Only 2,000 years have passed since the most recent eruption.

It's not unusual, then, to see lava fields around here (and it's one of the reasons the soil in our yards is so weird). For example, lava rock is clearly visible from I-15 in the general vicinity of Blackfoot.

The best place to get your lava fix, though, is at Craters of the Moon National Monument, where you'll find 343,000 acres of beautiful desolation. Inside the monument are tree molds, lava tubes, lava fields, and rift cracks - including the deepest known rift crack on earth.

Desolation does not mean the area is devoid of life. Vegetation is abundant, including wildflowers in May and June. Animals who call Craters home include Pygmy rabbits, Sage Grouse, and Pika.

Here's an example of life springing forth from the coils of a pahoehoe flow:

There is also a surprising amount of color, some of it quite vibrant, in and among the expansive black landscape.

You'll see lichen scattered nearly everywhere, in a variety of colors - and not all of the basaltic lava rock itself is black, either, thanks to the minerals it contains.

Once lava has formed and cooled, lichen is one of the first plants to grow on the new landscape. It helps break the rock down and turns it into soil, paving the way for other plants.

Bright orange and yellow lichen is especially abundant inside the lava tubes (caves), which are open to the public for exploration.

I was in Craters on Monday and spent most of the visit at the caves. Indian Tunnel alone is enough to keep me busy for hours. The roof of that lava tube is exquisite:

On the edge of this portion of the roof which has collapsed, some of the bright lichen is clearly visible:

If the unique scenery isn't enough, Craters of the Moon is also an International Dark Sky Park. What's not to like?

While the monument is off the beaten path, it's well worth a visit. Or two. Or more. There are plenty of things to shoot.

In commemoration of the monument's Centennial this year, there are all sorts of special activities going on. Coming up in August, there will be Star Parties on Friday, August 2nd and Saturday, August 3rd. These ranger-led events start at 9:30pm with telescope viewing beginning at 10:15pm.

On August 18th and 19th, you can take a ranger-led full moon hike beginning at 9pm from the Devil's Orchard trailhead.

On August 24th, there will be a Tree Molds Trail geology hike beginning at 10am and lasting for 4.5 hours. Registration is required for this one.

Visit the moon! No spacecraft required.