Black Rock Desert
Volcanic field · 1,800m · United States
About Black Rock Desert
Black Rock Desert is a volcanic field rising to 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1290 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Black Rock Desert is located in United States, within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.97° N, 112.50° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level, Black Rock Desert is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Black Rock Desert is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Black Rock Desert in United States generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Black Rock Desert has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1290 CE to 1290 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Black Rock Desert volcanic field consists of a group of closely spaced small Pleistocene-to-Holocene volcanic fields in the Black Rock and Sevier deserts of south-central Utah, at the eastern margin of the Great Basin. The Black Rock Desert field contains both Utah's youngest known rhyolite dome (400,000 years old) and its youngest eruptive vent, which produced the roughly 660-year-old Ice Springs lava flows. The broader volcanic field includes the smaller Deseret, Pavant, Kanosh, Tabernacle, Ice Spring, and northern Black Rock Desert fields. The Pavant Butte and Tabernacle Hill tuff cones were erupted about 16,000 and 14,000 years ago through the waters of glacial Lake Bonneville. Lava flows from the Ice Springs crater complex traveled about 4 km west and north, overlapping late-Pleistocene flows from Pavant Butte.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1290 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Ice Springs Craters |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Rock Desert
Is Black Rock Desert an active volcano?+
Black Rock Desert is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1290 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Black Rock Desert last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Black Rock Desert occurred in 1290 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Black Rock Desert has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Black Rock Desert?+
Black Rock Desert has a summit elevation of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) above sea level. At 1,800 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Black Rock Desert?+
Black Rock Desert is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Black Rock Desert located?+
Black Rock Desert 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 38.970° latitude, -112.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Black Rock Desert?+
Black Rock Desert 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.
