The quiet time between periods of volcanic activity could be as short as several hundred years or as long as 3,000 years. The average time between periods of volcanic activity has been about 2,000 years. North Crater and the North Crater Lava Flow formed during the most recent eruptive period that ended approximately 2,000 years ago. The following stops describe features that are encountered when following the trail in a clockwise direction. Both of these words are Hawaiian since much of what we know about volcanic activity came from the study of active volcanoes in Hawaii.
Pahoehoe is a smooth lava that often forms ropes and coils.
Pahoehoe flows are very hot, around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and have been clocked flowing at speeds of more than 30 miles per hour. However, much of the pahoehoe at Craters of the Moon was very viscous or thick and was very close to being aa. Even in large channels this thick lava was probably only flowing at 3-6 miles per hour. Pahoehoe flows are often seen flowing like glowing orange rivers. The hot, fast-moving lava beneath pulls, pushes, and twists this cooler top layer into the weird ropes and coils.