Devastated Area•Lassen Volcanic National Park

00:00     Title
00:14     Battle Creek Campground-Lassen National Forest
06:13     Sulphur Works
15:13     Emerald Lake
16:09     Bumpass Hell Overlook
19:10     Lake Helen & Lassen Peak
22:42     Kings Creek & Summit Lake
26:56     Devastated Area
28:21     Manzanita Lake
31:05     Fin
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The Devastated Area is located on the east side of Mt Lassen and the automobile touring route conveniently runs through this majestic landscape. The displaced volcanic boulders can be seen covering the mountainside well before arriving at the official site, so the seismic forces that caused the destruction definitely were tremendous. Mt Lassen actually is the largest volcanic dome in the world, so any cataclysmic activity would truly happen on a grand scale. To give an idea of the possible extent of damage, the Mt Lassen Devastated Area features millions of igneous rock boulders covering the meadows and forests as far as the eyes can see. 

Mt Lassen is indeed an active volcano and this gigantic dome most recently came back to life in the early 1900s. A series of eruptions occurred causing new pyroclastic flows and mud slides. Soon after, a gigantic explosion occurred in 1915, which totally rearranged the landscape for many miles around. The volcanic ash cloud arose way above the clouds and the resulting pyroclastic flows devastated everything in their path for over 20 miles. Much of the lighter ash has washed away through the years and the remaining igneous boulders that cascaded downhill in the massive pyroclastic flow still remain. The Devastated Area truly is an amazing sight to see and all it takes is one visit to create memories to ponder over for many years to come!