Mammoth Mountain

About Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain, a trachydacitic lava-dome complex, lies on the SW topographic rim of Long Valley caldera. It is west of the structural rim of the caldera and considered to represent a magmatic system distinct from other nearby volcanic regions (Hildreth, 2004). The latest magmatic eruptions took place about 57,000 years ago. Mammoth Mountain is surrounded by at least 35 mafic vents that are part of the same magmatic system and include Red Cones, two closely spaced basaltic cinder cones SW of Mammoth Mountain and SE of Devils Postpile National Monument. The cones, whose name derives from colorful scoria deposits, are unglaciated and were radiocarbon dated at about 8,500 years ago. Phreatic eruptions, distinct from those at South Inyo Craters, took place about 700 years ago from vents on the north side of Mammoth Mountain. Recent unrest, including seismicity, gas emission, and tree kill, is thought to be related to dike intrusion in 1989.