Lassen Volcanic National Park: Curated Guides to Volcanic Landscapes and Regional Geography

Active volcanic landscapes at the southern end of the Cascade Range

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park preserves one of the most geologically significant landscapes in the United States, offering visitors access to active volcanic features at the southern terminus of the Cascade Range. The park encompasses a remarkable variety of terrain, from the dramatic lava pinnacles and jagged craters of its western section to the expansive lava plateau of its eastern reaches. At the heart of the park stands Lassen Peak, a massive dacite dome that represents the world's largest example of plug dome volcanism. The peak rises to 10,457 feet and forms a striking visual landmark visible across the surrounding landscape. Beyond Lassen Peak, the park contains the remains of Mount Tehama, a former stratovolcano that collapsed to form a two-mile-wide caldera in the late Pleistocene epoch. This complex geological history is complemented by ongoing thermal activity, with hydrothermal features throughout the park demonstrating that volcanic processes continue beneath the surface. The park's establishment in 1916 followed several years of significant eruptive activity between 1914 and 1917, events that brought national attention to this volcanic landscape and prompted its protection as a national park.