Phantom Ship (island) facts for kids
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Crater Lake |
| Coordinates | 42°54′40″N 122°05′30″W / 42.9111°N 122.0916°W |
| Length | 152.4 m (500 ft) |
| Width | 61 m (200 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 51.816 m (170 ft) |
| Administration | |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Klamath County |
Phantom Ship is a small island located in Crater Lake in the state of Oregon, United States. This unique island is a natural rock formation that looks like a ship. It gets its name because it often resembles a mysterious "ghost ship," especially when fog covers the lake or when the light is dim.
Contents
Discovering Phantom Ship Island
What is Phantom Ship Island?
Phantom Ship Island is a striking sight within Crater Lake. It is found on the southeastern side of the lake. The island sticks out more than 200 meters (about 656 feet) from the steep walls of the caldera. A caldera is a large, bowl-shaped hollow that forms after a volcano erupts and collapses. The island itself is roughly 152 meters (500 feet) long and 61 meters (200 feet) wide. Its jagged shape truly makes it look like an old sailing ship.
How Was It Formed?
The rocks that make up Phantom Ship Island are called andesite. These rocks are very old, forming about 400,000 years ago. Over time, hot water and steam from deep underground changed some of these rocks. This process is known as hydrothermal activity. Phantom Ship is actually part of an ancient stratovolcano that is mostly underwater. A stratovolcano is a tall, cone-shaped volcano built from many layers of hardened lava, ash, and rock. Only the very top, jagged parts of this old volcano poke out of the water, forming the island we see today.
Plants and Wildlife
The plant life on Phantom Ship Island is similar to what you might find on Wizard Island, another island in Crater Lake. However, one type of tree, the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), is not found on Phantom Ship. The island's tough environment means that only certain hardy plants can grow there. These plants add to the island's wild and ancient appearance.
