CRATERS OF THE MOON--A MECCA FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve protects ~750,000 acres (1,100 sq. miles) encompassing most of the Great Rift, the best example of a volcanic rift zone on the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP). Of the eight geologically young lava fields on the ESRP, the Monument encompasses the three youngest and least altered. The Kings Bowl and Wapi lava fields and much of the Craters of the Moon lava field are only about 2,000 years old and their age, coupled with the desert climate, makes them phenomenal areas to observe geologic features associated with basaltic volcanism. Features include deep open-crack rift sets, spatter ramparts, cinder cones, spatter cones, pressure plateaus, tumuli, hornitos, volcanic bombs, and different kinds of lava.

The National Park Service (NPS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provide a wide range of educational opportunities from elementary to college level. Several thousand K-12 students utilize the Monument as an outdoor classroom during site visits each year. The agencies help teachers by offering workshops, seminars, and other special programs. Teachers’ guides, fact sheets, illustrated glossaries, site bulletins, detailed papers, animation clips, maps, activities, virtual trips, and other geo-educational products are available from the Monument and related web sites (e.g., www.nps.gov/crmo/). During the summer, daily guided walks, campfire programs, and special weekend hikes/programs are offered.

Several years ago the NPS formed a partnership with the Sawtooth Science Institute and offers several seminars available for college credit each summer. The NPS and BLM also partner with local universities to provide internships and both senior and graduate student research projects. Colleges from all over the country use the Monument for field trips and field camp experiences. In addition, the NPS and BLM regularly provide field trips and programs to audiences, such as the Idaho Science Teachers Association, the Geological Society of America, and other non government organizations.