Pipkin / Malpais Crater | |
---|---|
Geology | |
Mountain type | Cinder Cone |
Volcanic arc | Lavic Lake volcanic field |
Last eruption | c. 600,000 years BP |
Pipkin (also known as Malpais Crater[1]) is a volcano in California, with activity during the Quaternary.[2] The surface of erupted lava flows is weathered, and argon-argon dating and potassium-argon dating has yielded ages of 770,000 ± 40,000 and c. 600,000 years before present, respectively.[3]
The volcano lies in the Rodman Mountains.[4] The 300 feet (91 m) high and 2,000 feet (610 m) wide[5] Pipkin cinder cone probably erupted the lava flows which extend to its north and form a lava flow field which has the appearance of a mesa.[6] The cone itself consists of lava bombs and scoria with red and black colours.[5] Lava flows from the vent propagated through Kane Wash[4] and into the Mojave River valley;[7] it is possible that the lava diverted part of the wash into neighbouring Sheep Springs Wash.[8]
The cone is the site of a quarry. Pipkin was mined since the 1950s for its ash.[5]
34°41′12″N 116°37′12″W / 34.68667°N 116.62000°W