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Lassen
Volcanic National Park Beneath Lassen Volcanic's peaceful forests and gem-like lakes
lies evidence of a turbulent and fiery past. 600,000 years ago,
the collision and warping of continental plates led to violent
eruptions and the formation of lofty Mt. Tehama (also called Brokeoff
Volcano.) After 200,000 years of volcanic activity, vents and smaller
volcanoes on Tehama's flanks-including Lassen Peak-drew magma away
from the main cone. Hydrothermal areas ate away at the great mountain's
bulk. Beneath the onslaught of Ice Age glaciers, Mt. Tehama crumbled
and finally ceased to exist. But the volcanic landscape lived on:
in 1914, Lassen Peak awoke. The Peak had its most significant activity
in 1915 and minor activity through 1921. Lassen Volcanic became
a national park in 1916 because of its significance as an active
volcanic landscape. | Facts | LiNkS
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