Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, S central Idaho; est. 1924. The monument (53,438 acres/21,625 hectares) lies at the north end of the much larger preserve (698,940 acres/282,851 hectares), which was formally established in 2002 after the park was expanded (2000) to include nearly of the Great Rift and its lava fields. The area's closely grouped volcanoes are suggestive of a telescopic view of the moon. Volcanic activity dating back c.20,000 years has left behind cinder cones, tree molds, craters, and other interesting formations. At one time Native Americans used the lava caves. There are also extensive grasslands with a sagebrush steppe ecosystem. See National Parks and Monuments (table)national parks and monuments (table).
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