Pinnacles National Monument High Peaks

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 21 March 2008 in Landscape & Rural.

Volcanic remains from over 23 million years past make up the high peaks at Pinnacles National Monument located in central California. These remains were half of a volcanic eruption which took place 200 miles south near present-day Lancaster, in southern California. The tectonic plate they resided on (the Pacific Plate) split along the San Andreas Fault and slowly drifted northward at a rate of 3 centimeters per year. Gray pines grow through cracks in the hardened lava which produces a warm glow as the setting sun is diffused by a cloudbank. The unusual fromation of the rocks is due to erosion caused by wind and rain. To see more of my images, order my book or to learn more about my workshops, please visit my website at http://www.donsmithphotography.com