Mono-Inyo Craters
Mono-Inyo Craters are a rhyolite and basalt volcanic chain along California's eastern Sierra Nevada and Mono Lake; famed for cinder cones, domes, and active geothermal features.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Great Basin |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mono County |
| District | Mono-Inyo Craters |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 37.9 |
| Longitude | -119.1 |
| Maps |
6:12 PM LOCAL TIMEMono-Inyo Craters form a linked chain of volcanic vents and domes that runs north-south along the eastern Sierra Nevada just south and east of Mono Lake. Their genesis begins around 100,000 years ago and continues in shorter pulses into the present day — notably evidenced by active geothermal activity and unrest at some cones. The most accessible and known features include Yosemite's Crane Flat area, Inyo Craters, and the Inyo Volcanic Chain near Ridgecrest and Owens Lake. Visitors come for hiking, climbing, geologic sightseeing, and thermal springs. Practical planning involves considering trail access, permit requirements for overnight stays, and respect for fragile volcanic landforms and geothermal areas.
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