Chaos Jumbles
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So this broken and decimated area is another spot that was overcome by the 1915 eruption of Mount Lassen, right? Nope! Lassen National Park is full of surprises, and the aptly named Chaos Jumbles is often the first that visitors stumble upon. Instead of volcanic activity, it was a massive avalanche that damaged this small part of the park about 300 years ago.
The results seem quite similar to the regions that had the volcano erupt on them, with the devastation of the living ecosystem, the displacement of massive rocks, and the general disorder of the landscape.
The avalanche that occurred here was so big, and came straight down so fast that it actually trapped a pocket of air underneath it, adding to the destruction.
Now, visitors enjoy a wealth of new life, including a bigger-than-average variety of coniferous trees. The newness of the living landscape has allowed more competing types of plants to get a foothold here.
© Liz Hamill Scott from Moon California, 2nd Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.