Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Established in 1924. Preserving 400 square miles of lava fields.
Did you know the difference of a National Park and National Monument has a lot to do with resources? In order for an area/park to be deemed a National Park it has to have some kind of resource that it’s protecting as well as sceneic, educational, recreational and inspirational value. National Monuments have objects of historical, cultural, or scientific interest.
I can easily see that Craters of the Moon would have history and scientific interest. They say the lava rock came from an explosion 2,000 years ago through rifts and fissures in the earth (moreso than one giant volcano).
Only the most adaptable plants can survive the harsh summer heat of 150* soil temps and the cold windy winters. Knowing this it is quite surprising just how many plants have sprung up. Sagebrush, Smoothstem Blazingstars, rubber Rabbitbrush, and my personal favorite, Butterballs, Butterballs, which, from afar, look like clumps of snow are actually drough-tolerant and are useful to honeybee production.
