search
Get Started
search
Hole-in-the-Ground - Tuff Cone
zoom_in Click to enlarge

Hole-in-the-Ground

description Hole-in-the-Ground Overview

Hole-in-the-Ground is a large Pleistocene-era maar volcano located in Lake County, Oregon. It was formed approximately 100,000 years ago by explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions, which occurred when rising magma interacted with groundwater. The crater measures roughly a mile across and 300 feet deep, making it a prominent geological feature in the Fort Rock basin. Today, it serves as a destination for geologists and hikers interested in volcanic landscapes.

insights Ranking position

Hole-in-the-Ground ranks #45 of 118 in the Tuff Cone ranking, behind Ubehebe Crater (Death Valley), ahead of Monte Epomeo (Ischia).

help Hole-in-the-Ground FAQ

Is Hole-in-the-Ground an impact crater?

No. It is a maar formed when rising magma interacted explosively with groundwater, not when a meteorite struck Oregon.

How large is Hole-in-the-Ground?

The roughly circular crater is about a mile across and several hundred feet deep. It lies in the Fort Rock Basin of Lake County, Oregon.

Can you drive to Hole-in-the-Ground?

Forest roads reach the crater rim, but surfaces and seasonal access can vary. Visitors should use a current Deschutes National Forest map and expect remote conditions without developed visitor facilities.

Is Hole-in-the-Ground connected to Newberry Volcano?

It sits near the southern margin of lava fields associated with the Newberry volcanic region. Its explosive maar formation differs from Newberry's much larger caldera and extensive lava flows.

Reviews & Comments

Write a Review

rate_review

Be the first to review

Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.

Save to your list

Save your favorites and follow how their scores change over time.

Save favorites
Get updates
Compare scores

Already have an account? Sign in

Compare Items

See how they stack up against each other

Comparing
VS
Select 1 more item to compare