The Geologic Oddity in Arizona; The Lava River Cave

[@GeologyHub]

This video was requested by one of my patrons on patreon. Lava tubes tend to not last long in the geologic timescale, as most are under 1 million years old. However, a contact of mine found a 20 million year old lava tube in the Sonya Creek volcanic field (Alaska).

[@cacogenicist]

I have an idea for what I think constitutes a "geological oddity" -- Northern Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains macro-diamonds. As you probably are aware, hundreds of diamonds (some actually gem grade, and multiple carats) have been found by miners in gold placers -- both modern stream gravels, and tertiary cemented gravels -- in California, with a smaller number found in Oregon. The odd thing is: where the heck did they come from? There are no kimberlite diatremes anywhere nearby. There are no lamproite occurrences in northern California or SW Oregon (or anywhere in those states, to my knowledge). And you wouldn't expect there to be that far off the craton, right? If the diamonds are concentrated in lamprophyre dikes, or something like that, such diamondiferous lamprophyres have not been discovered. Are they just very sparsely disseminated in upper mantle sections of ophiolites? I guess that makes the most sense to me, seeing as they've never been found in host rock -- also, it seems to be the case that indicator minerals for these placer diamonds include PGEs and chromite, which I guess would be consistent with erosion of ophiolites. Although in the literature I can only find mention of micro-diamonds in ophiolitic peridotites. Anyhow, if that topic is too broad for a short video, maybe you could look at the case of the _Serendipity, Doubledipity,_ and _Enigma_ diamonds, found in Hayfork creek, in northern California. All of these were large (Enigma is over 30 carats), and they all showed the same sort of overgrowth, and are clearly from the same source. And that source must be pretty close to where they were found, I would think.

[@SAOS451316]

they last a lot longer on the moon! :D much bigger there too.

[@JamesNoBrakes]

There is also the Springerville Volcanic Field in Arizona. That would make 3.

[@garycrockett4477]

My family and I have been to this lava tube. Very fascinating. Very COLD! Thanks for the videos.

[@kimm6589]

I'd still love to see an in-depth look at the formation of the Black Hills (Mountains) in South Dakota. I know it's the same system as Devil's Tower, but the Black Hills themselves seem such an oddity of rock pushed upward into the glacial prairie.

[@jamesruddy9264]

Me too! I live in Rapid City and always liked to walk up the mountains around town and look at the ripple marks left on the sandstone, now almost a mile above sea level, where it was once part of the inland sea before the uplift.

[@pauldudley8837]

I believe the Black hills are also some of the oldest mountain formations in North America.

[@StanRaufzeil]

It might be an interesting Topic to shed a light on how you can date those eruptions. Great Video as always.

[@Iambrendanjames]

Ape Cave is a lava tube by Mt. St. Helens. I'll never forget how damn cold it was lol. Went from the mid summer heat to 40 degrees in shorts haha.

[@ecurewitz]

My brother went to that cave. I was also at Mt St. Helens but i was just at the main visitor center

[@tthappyrock368]

Did you go in the upper cave, the lower one or both? I've been in the upper one only and in the smaller ones nearby. So cool! Even literally 😊

[@jimcroft3633]

A friend who sometimes lives in Hawaii told me about these on the Big Island. These guys were growing weed in the lava tube bringing in lights and a generator. They got caught because the cops saw a water truck delivering to the lava tube so they investigated.

[@jblob5764]

There is one near me in Washington state called the Ape Caves, you can enter through one end, walk down to a dead-end, or walk through it over a mile to the upper exit, passing under a skylight along the way.

[@bobsmith6079]

I grew up in southeastern Idaho near Craters of the Moon which was being used as a training site for the Apollo moon landing missions and a number of lava tube ice caves which remained filled with ice throughout extremely hot and dry desert summers. If you could cover both of these geological features I would appreciate it.

[@AKUSUXs]

100%

[@laura-bianca3130]

This is so interesting ♥️

[@petercollingwood522]

This feature is well worth visiting. I recall it having several areas inside that were really huge caverns.

[@annakuc771]

I just talked with one of my students,off topic we talked about what interests us - volcanos! I said there's a great channel on yt (yours). Apparently he already knew about you and sometimes their teacher puts you on to explain some things during the class 😜 😜 that felt awesome!

[@GamerChick5567]

Cool! Lava tubes are so cool. I've been to subway cave in lassen and lava beds national monument near tulelake in norcal. Will have to check this out next time im in az.

[@hgbugalou]

I walked down a huge tube at the Newberry volcano in Oregon. It's super cool.

[@stormforce171]

Nice. I have been in several lava tubes, on the Canary islands and the Azores.

[@OndriaDancingStar]

I live in Flagstaff and the lava tubes are AMAZING!!!!! Plus, there are bears!!

[@helmsvisits2294]

I remember the first time visiting a lava tube in Mexico when I went to hike el Xitle

[@Travlinmo]

Another good reason for a weekend in Flagstaff.

[@raikuthedragon3907]

I live in Idaho and have visited Kuna caves which is a lava tube you can enter and explore.

[@AKUSUXs]

The Shoshone Ice Cave in Idaho. Out in the middle.of really nowhere, in a place that can get over 100 degrees in the summer, the cave contains a glacier!

[@MartinD9999]

Excellent video. How about a little educational footage on the creation of gold and silver platinum and palladium veins? Thank you!

[@davidedgar2818]

I've hiked on all 5 of Hawaii Islands volcano. This island is like a big piece of Swiss cheese. I've almost fallen into lava tube skylights. I've learned to be very careful when hiking.

[@MacDelta]

Love the content

[@mr_lastname05]

There are a bunch of them on reunion island and you can find videos of people riding bikes through them

[@PL2adventure]

I'm doing a trip across Canada next year and I plan to check these out, their in British Columbia, Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a (a.k.a. Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park). Thank you for your videos.

[@memyselfishness]

There's a really cool lava tube cave near Bend, Oregon. I don't think they know how long it is because it's filled with sand and they kept excavating it.

[@samsmith2635]

Talk more about the San Francisco Peaks and how it was a massive 16,000 ft Strato volcano.

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

I lived in Arizona for many years and was unaware of this. Thanks.

[@justjim2693]

Another excellent episode. Thanks!

[@ElDJReturn]

Nice, we have the Ape Caves here in the PNW in Southern Washington. I've only been once but want to go back. It is an amazing system. It would be cool to hear you cover them one day.

[@gl15col]

I lived in Arizona, and I never heard of this...damn. I would have for sure visited it too. 😞

[@joedoe6444]

watching this channel makes me wish i had enough money to travel to all these places and check them out.

[@rogergadley9965]

Southwest Washington state, near Mt. St Helens, has a number of lava tubes and tunnels. Some are a quite long and none are related to Mt. St. Helens’ massive eruption in 1980, which created a big blast, but no appreciable lava flows. You ask for requests. How about an update on Mt. St. Helens current status?

[@lozunicorn]

Wow! Fascinating, thankyou 🦄

[@BrokefishN]

We should talk I can show you stuff in Oregon cascades no one talks about!

[@gswombat]

There are some nice lava tubes in the Parwan Valley near Bacchus Marsh, just west of Melbourne.

[@guntherultraboltnovacrunch5248]

I've been there ! and yes...ITS COLD!

[@Old_Foxy_Grandpa]

I've been to the lava tubes in Flag and Mt. Lassen in California

[@chrisodger7171]

Really enjoying these videos. I don't know if this has been covered before so apologies in advance but I would be interested to know about Timanfaya in Lanzorote. I went there years ago and was amazed with the landscapes.

[@sevensprings460]

Lava tubes in Australia at Undara, Mt Surprise, Queensland.

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

1st, That aside, i really appreciate these daily videos, thank you.

[@SpaceLover-he9fj]

Lava tubes are one of my favorite volcanic features.

[@Gizathecat2]

Bushcraft Bear explored some lava tubes on LaPalma earlier this year. Check them out!

[@dudmic]

If it's rounded shape cave in a volcano, most likely a lava tube If you're in Romania i recommend visiting Căsoaia lui Ladaș Cave, which is a lava tube

[@Tjalve70]

What is the possible reason why it's that cold in the lava tube? I mean, some heat must be able to enter from the outside. Especially if the lava tube is open in both ends, which would make it possible for the air to pass through it. So what is cooling it down so much?

[@michaellee2387]

Oddly, the coldest part is near the entrance. Near the back end of the cave it's around 60°F.

[@LunamrathP]

As the other commenter said, it's coldest near the entrance. Quite strange. I've been in a few times and once, in May, I had difficulty navigating the amount of ice on the initial descent. It is not open on both ends, either.

[@AdamTrautmanBowling]

That one picture sure looks like Valentines Cave at the Lava Beds National Monument. Fun cave to explore, but catacombs is my favorite there. Not for the faint harted.

[@ashtonbrown4318]

Does anyone know how far/deep the alternate cave goes across to the main entrance/opening? I've been here several times. Actually just went today actually, but I didn't get a chance to go very far in this other space as I had other places to be. It goes decently far as some other visitors went in far enough to not be audible or hear anyone in this portion that IS NOT the main cave. It is unmarked on maps and is approximately under the info plaque.

[@Gizathecat2]

On the south side of Mount St. Helens is a lava tube.

[@laura-bianca3130]

It must be holy to Native Americans in the area...

[@SpaceLover-he9fj]

Wow. I never knew lava tubes that long !

[@angelharrell4132]

I had the pleasure of doing this one. I did not make it to the end I am too outta shape for that

[@harrygasser5546]

Great place to sit at the entrance of the Ice Cave when i is hot

[@BahamutZero09]

Any explanation as to why the cold temperature in the Lava River Cave

[@CoreyJReed-tk4rd]

Would you please provide an in depth analysis as to why there is black lava rock (cinders) vs red lava rock (cinders). Both make up the majority of the cinder cones in the San Francisco volcanic fields.

[@EndlessGraphics]

Pardon if silly, but my question is directed at both the exactness of the formation and subsequent drainage leaving a hollow tube. Why wouldn't the lava continue to flow only over the surface? It melts the ground? Uniform depth? Why not deeper or more shallow? Back up along the surface? Then, why wouldn't the lava within the tube simply solidify and remain in the filled in tube? Any explanation welcome.

[@barrydysert2974]

i would like to see an episode or two on the Volcanic Legacy National Scenic Byway in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Specifically the Lava Beds National Monument. There are numerous lava tubes accessible to the public. Maps, helmets and lanterns are available at the headquarters for a nominal fee. i know of no other place with access to this density of lava tubes in a relatively small area. In one tube the floor has collapsed and you descend into a second tube. This tube has a collapsed floor as well leading down to a third tube. Three successive flows layered on top of one another. i believe the Lava Beds constitute the northern most flanks of the Medicine Lake shield volcano and are one of its latest eruptive phases. Or, am i wrong about this? i have several questions you might answer in an episode. Is there anyplace else with kind of density and access to lava tubes? i think this could possibly be the best place in the world to experience lava tubes! How long would it take to have three overlapping flows with their accompanying drained tubes? Was it three separate eruptions or could there have been disruptions to the flow further upslope? So many questions You could answer! i think a video about the highlights along the Volcanic Legacy National Scenic Byway would be fantastic. It's little know and this will help to get it before the public. i am unable to be a patron, but i greatly appreciate your work! Thank you for your consideration !:-) Love💜 Prayers🙏 So mote it be⚡️

[@benterbieten9540]

Why would it be that cold, Normal caves are usually around 58 degrees F. ? Great topic as usual.

[@icollectstories5702]

You would expect it to be at the average ground temperature, which would be lower at higher altitudes or latitudes. Not sure what is "normal." Alternatively, if hell is cold, then temperature could be related to proximity to hell.😈

[@NGC-catseye]

That’s a cool lava field, I wonder what it would look like if it had vegetation 🌲 🌱

[@Glaudge]

will we see a basalt type eruption in the lower 48 within our lifetime?

[@wordreet]

That is so cool! 😉😁

[@mrrockguy9311]

SP Crater literally stands for "Shit Pot Crater" for anyone who is wondering

[@panderson9561]

Just inside the opening of this lava tube, about 100 or so feet inside, there's a very low hanging rock formation you need to duck your head for...ask me how I know.

[@robertrmckerrow1111]

What do you think about Hapgood's Earth Crust Displacement Theory? Is it plausible or completely bologna? If you have already covered this my apologies and please point me in the right direction. Thanks, Robert

[@markgallagher5908]

It sounds totally implausible to me.

[@razorransom1795]

Um.... utah, arizona and new mexico do have volcanic connections, many are ancient mega caldera volcanoes. I think new mexico still has one called Valles caldera complex.

[@chasemclain6235]

Can you explain the multiple laccoliths in south Iran please:)

[@MogguSama]

Lava river cave sounds like a mid-game darksouls area

[@jcee2259]

Not so unusual. You can climb a summit and stand within lava looking down at the night lights of Phoenix, Arizona. The tube contains a relic so heavy no visitor has yet to carry it out. Nobody has explained to me why it is there.

[@LunamrathP]

What are you referring to?

[@Cellottia]

Hello, and thanks for this introduction to lava tubes and caves. Recently I watched this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZXbaIFjZ5tlsJI&feature=shares about the Ice Cave in El Malpais National Monument on No Man's Overland channel and I'm intrigued by the phenomenon of ice in these tunnels. I don't understand how the water gets there and why the tunnels are so very cold (although I can see that a feedback loop could be in effect: there's ice in the tube/cave so that keeps the temperature down so ice forms in the cave/tube). But I'm not aware that ice forms in mines, even abandoned ones, for example, so it's not just being out of sunlight and underground that causes ice to form. Please could you explain the reasons for this (to me) puzzling phenomenon? I'd be very grateful! (I first found your channel because of the Geldingadir eruption in Iceland and I've been a subscriber ever since -- fascinating stuff!) Happy Christmas 🎄🎁🎅🎁🎄! Katherine from Kent, UK

[@bobhicks2762]

What about New Mexico volcanos, as I have found epidote bombs there both north and south New Mexico>

[@TheDalaiLamaCon]

The description of the ice crystals forming in the lava tube reminded me of the Fremen on Arrakis in Dune extracting water from the arid airs of the desert planet. Any idea why it gets so cold in the lava tubes? Also a series on repeated cycles, Heinrich Events etc, would be amazing. Cheers love your vids.

[@kenwin5845]

Ape Cave is the best!

[@BigboiiTone]

Is this your real voice? My mom thinks it's a computer synthesized voice over. I can't really tell

[@xwiick]

Real.

[@MarieJackson-sp3be]

Volcanism is not an oddity in Arizona. First, it wasn't Arizona when it slid over a mantle hot spot. Second hot spots are not an oddity. Think Hawaii. And no Arizona was not once an island in the Pacific. Think.

[@jamessconiers1968]

Let's not get this confused with man made structures 1:22

[@LunamrathP]

That's the entrance to the lava tube. It itself is not a man made structure, but yes people have stacked local rocks around the entrance to make a wall. The initial descent is surprisingly steep, so it's just to keep people from tripping into a pit.

[@jamessconiers1968]

It was a big ass elephant palace, it blew around from outside and fell in; I seen it fall in here through a dream

[@jamessconiers1968]

Totally wiped themselves from the planet

[@LunamrathP]

@@jamessconiers1968 lolwut

[@yodieyuh]

But I don't wanna request a Pacific topic...

[@MyGodAndMyLordJesusChrist]

looks like cave tunnels that lead to hell. soon hell will lead to earth.