Visiting a volcano

Photo's of day 2 in Lassen Volcanic S.P. Lassen Peak is only 10,400ft high, but dominates the countryside for 50 miles. Its jagged peak is the remains of a volcano, which itself sticks out of the side of a much bigger volcano which blew itself apart many thousands of years ago, leaving a ring of smaller mountains eleven miles wide. Lassen Peak is designated as an active volcano. It last erupted in 1914-15, throwing millions of tons of ash and rock from the North East side up to 30,000ft in the air, removing a significant chunk of the mountain. This series of explosions was caught on film and can be seen at the visitor Center. The volcano is now quiet, although all around it are the signs of continuing activity. We visited the Sulphur Works and were able to see (and smell) fumeroles of steam escaping from the mountain side, many depositing a rime of yellow sulphur and also hot mud holes, where steam boils up through thick mud to escape into the atmosphere. There are also hot lakes, but we were not able to hike to them.
All around us we could see various forms of volcano that have formed over the years. Many cinder cones, identifiable with their sloping sides and little dimples at the summit, even though they may now be covered with trees. Lots of lava fields and lava volcanoes. Many lakes which have been created by the chaotic topography and filled collapsed volcanic craters. It made for a fascinating scenary, unlike anything else we have seen. (even after the lava outpourings we have seen in the Rio Grande Rift Valley of Southern Colorado and New Mexico).