Hike Through Crack in the Ground Christmas Valley, Oregon

Crack-in-the-Ground” is a volcanic fissure over two miles long and up to 70 feet deep, marks the western edge of this small, volcano-tectonic depression. The crack is the result of a tension fracture - a rock fracture at right angles to the direction of the most tension - the result of lava flows coming over the edge of a concealed fault zone. Normally, fissures like this one are filled with soil and rock by the processes of erosion and sedimentation. However, because it is located in such an arid region, very little filling has occurred and Crack-in-the-Ground exists today nearly as it did shortly after its formation thousands of years ago.

[@peterbee162]

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[@Seracdog]

It's fun little hike! I did not show the entire crack because a lot of it is redundant!

[@brookeshaffer4377]

What a phenomenal geological experience👍Always like your videos🌟Thanks Al😊

[@Seracdog]

Thank you!

[@cylocybe]

Why.... the steamy bedroom music?? Lol! Thanks for the video though, I always wondered what walking into the Crack in the Ground was like.

[@Seracdog]

LOL! I thought about using some suspenseful/adventure music but then I went kind of brain dead...

[@Seracdog]

Also, the video only shows about a third of the crack and that is because there is a lot of "same same kind of stuff...

[@AlaskanAmblers]

That is very cool! It's like a slot canyon. Never knew this existed in Oregon. Thanks for sharing, and, as usual, the video is so clear and well-produced.

[@Seracdog]

Thank you! It is very much like a slot canyon, but as I am sure you know Utah and Arizona have the best!

[@eastwind6820]

Looks like the Mid Atlantic Ridge in Iceland. There are places where you can walk in the spreading zone that separates North America from Eurasia. It’s a giant rift.

[@Seracdog]

Yes, to a small degree it is like þingvellir National Park in Iceland.

[@Goldensrule2]

Good video but dogs are supposed to be on leash only there.

[@Seracdog]

They actually did not go through the crack! They ran about 75 yards into the crack and then we hauled them back out and they waited patiently for us (leashed to a tree in the shade) to complete the hike!

[@scottchase8014]

Oh it was marvelous Mr Hanson... Isn't it nice visiting places from the movie return of the King and the real places down through Nevada of Lord of the rings... Believe me the stronghold is still there by the city from return of the King...... I used to stop in there North to pioche Nevada..,.. but I can understand the crack in the ground that army that was there they not never wanted to fight for anything...... I'm telling my friends cuz this last spring they went there for spring break with their kids to the crack in the ground I'm telling them this year where they can go to the valley of the Damned

[@Seracdog]

Perfect!

[@user-yg6dk9eh8g]

hows the rattler population?

[@Seracdog]

Fortunately, we did not see any! However, they r definitely in the area!

[@fallinginthed33p]

A lava channel that emptied out, like a lava tube with no roof?

[@Seracdog]

That is essentially right!

[@Seracdog]

That is essentially right

[@AuLily1]

It's fissure, a crack caused by ground expansion during a volcanic event. It is not a lava tube. It was created about 12,000 years ago. A relatively youthful feature in the landscape in geological timeline.

[@tiffanykullgren3830]

odd music choice, lol but, thank you for the video!

[@Seracdog]

Music, odd, I agree! But, that’s kind of me…!

[@michaelbochristensen5058]

Nice video. Whats the location?

[@Seracdog]

Thank you! The Crack is located near Christmas Valley in Southeastern Oregon

[@travelersworldcafellc7036]

good video bad music

[@Seracdog]

Thanks! I “get it” regarding the music! I think my brain was on another planet when I created this vid!