Red Island Volcano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Island |
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The two domes of Red Hill
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | −137 ft (−42 m) |
| Prominence | 88 ft (27 m) |
| Geography | |
 Red Island
Location in California
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| Location | Imperial County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Salton Buttes |
| Topo map | USGS Niland |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Walk |
Red Island, also called Red Hill, is a special kind of volcano known as a lava dome. It's found in Imperial County, California, and is part of a group of volcanoes called the Salton Buttes. These are the only active volcanoes you'll find in Southern California!
Red Island has two main parts, which are like two big bumps, named Prospect Dome and Alamo Dome. Even though they are volcanoes, they haven't erupted for a very long time – somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000 years. This means they are dormant, or sleeping. In the dip between the two domes, there's even a parking lot for visitors to a county park.
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What is a Lava Dome?
A lava dome is a round, dome-shaped hill that forms when thick, sticky lava slowly pushes out of a volcano. Unlike runny lava that flows far, this thick lava piles up around the vent. It cools down and hardens, creating a dome shape.
How Lava Domes Form
Lava domes grow slowly over time. The lava that forms them is usually very thick, like toothpaste. It doesn't flow easily. Instead, it oozes out and piles up around the volcano's opening. As more lava comes out, it pushes the dome bigger and taller. Sometimes, parts of the dome can break off and roll down the sides.
Dormant Volcanoes
When a volcano is dormant, it means it hasn't erupted for a long time, but scientists think it could erupt again in the future. Red Island's domes have been quiet for thousands of years. This is different from an active volcano, which erupts often, or an extinct volcano, which scientists believe will never erupt again.
The Salton Buttes
Red Island is one of the Salton Buttes, a group of five small volcanoes. They are all lava domes. These buttes are special because they are the only active volcanoes in Southern California. They are located near the Salton Sea, a large, shallow lake.
Location and Geology
The Salton Buttes are found in the Salton Trough. This area is a very active geologically interesting place. It's where the San Andreas Fault system ends. This fault is a major crack in the Earth's crust. The movement of these plates helps create the conditions for volcanoes like the Salton Buttes to form.
Geothermal Activity
Because of the volcanic activity deep underground, the area around the Salton Buttes has a lot of geothermal energy. This means there's heat coming from inside the Earth. This heat can warm up underground water, creating hot springs. Sometimes, this heat is even used to generate electricity!
Visiting Red Island
Red Island is a unique place to visit. Its two domes, Prospect Dome and Alamo Dome, are easy to see. The area between them is used as a parking lot for visitors to a county park. This makes it easy for people to explore the area and learn about these interesting volcanoes.
What to See
When you visit Red Island, you can see the unique shapes of the lava domes. You might also notice the special plants and animals that live in this desert environment. It's a great place to learn about geology and the natural world.
