Coso Volcanic Field
Lava dome(s) · 2,400m · United States
About Coso Volcanic Field
Coso Volcanic Field is a lava dome(s) rising to 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Coso Volcanic Field is located in United States, within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 36.03° N, 117.82° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 2,400 meters above sea level, Coso Volcanic Field rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The Coso volcanic field, located east of the Sierra Nevada Range at the western edge of the Basin and Range province, consists of Pliocene to Quaternary rhyolitic lava domes and basaltic cinder cones covering a 400 km2 area. Much of the field lies within the China Lake Naval Weapons Center. Active fumaroles and thermal springs are present in an area that is a producing geothermal field. The youngest eruptions were chemically bimodal, forming basaltic lava flows along with 38 rhyolitic lava flows and domes, most with youthful, constructional forms. The latest dated eruption formed the Volcano Peak basaltic cinder cone and lava flow and was K-Ar dated at 39,000 +/- 33,000 years ago. Although most activity ended during the late Pleistocene, the youngest lava dome may be of Holocene age based on geomorphological evidence (Monastero 1998, pers. comm.).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Coso Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Coso Volcanic Field
Is Coso Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Coso Volcanic Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Coso Volcanic Field?+
Coso Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level. At 2,400 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Coso Volcanic Field?+
Coso Volcanic Field is classified as a Lava dome(s). Lava domes are mounds of viscous lava that pile up around a volcanic vent. They grow by expansion from within and can collapse to produce dangerous pyroclastic flows.
Where is Coso Volcanic Field located?+
Coso Volcanic Field is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 36.030° latitude, -117.820° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Coso Volcanic Field?+
Coso Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. United States may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
