Deep below Death Valley"s charred surface, blazing hot magma once gushed up through a geologic fault until it hit groundwater. The magma quickly turned the water to steam, and like a defective subterranean pressure cooker, the Earth"s crust blew its top in a ferocious explosion. The hydrovolcanic eruption sent up a mushroom cloud of steam and spewed burnt volcanic cinders for miles. It also left the giant crater seen in this photo and 12 smaller ones spread across the surface.
When Death Valley blew its top
Today in History
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Paper lanterns on the longest night
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Anniversary of the British Museum
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A reflection of Europe s past
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Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, England
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Pasadena Chalk Festival supports local arts education
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San Gimignano, Siena Tuscany, Italy
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Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
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International Rock Day
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A crane for good luck in today’s big game
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Easter Sunday
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Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
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Casting a vote for women s history
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Party like it’s 5779
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Zion National Park Turns 100
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A crush in Lavaux
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Daylight saving time begins
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International Day for Monuments and Sites
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Drop in on International Surfing Day
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Stop and see the flowers
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In Texas, even the riverbend is big
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Hello, harbinger of spring
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Spring awakens
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National Park Week: Wind Cave National Park
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It’s showtime for a precious crop
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Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
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Black History Month
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An historic forest
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National Merry-Go-Round Day
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Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
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