Ah, Ubehebe Crater.
On a trip to Death Valley with the folks as a youngster, maybe age 11, we stopped by here. Even as a kid, I realized it had a subtle, sublime
beauty.
Of course, I asked If I could go to the bottom. I'll never forget the look my dad gave me as he chuckled, "Sure, go for it." Woohoo, I went
screaming down the scree to the bottom--it doesn't take but a few minutes (I don't know if the trail was there then--if it was, I apologize to the
trail crew, I went straight down

)
Walking on the crater floor was trippy. It sounds hollow. Like the floor is only a few feet thick, and made of paper. It actually scared me into
heading back up to the rim.
That crater sure is a
lot bigger when looking up from the bottom, lol. And it doesn't help that the climbing is on steam-blasted, pulverized
ball-bearings for rock. Two steps forward, two and a half steps back. It took me over 45 minutes to climb out of that hole! My dad had tears
streaming down his cheeks he was laughing so hard.
Ah, good times....
Needless to say, if ever I saw that particular look in my father's eyes--I paused (slightly) before plunging ahead.
[/end sidetrack down memory lane]
ETA: The area is surrounded by faults, specifically one responsible for the Cottonwood Mountains.
Wiki
Personally, I am more watchful for eruptive activity at Long Valley caldera, just up road.
edit on 1/23/2012 by Olivine because: meh