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Home/Sedona Geology/House Mountain Volcano

House Mountain Volcano

House Mountain
Aerial view to the southwest of the House Mt. volcano showing the central crater (upper depression) and the contact with the red rock strata marking its eruption at the base of what was the Mogollon Rim some 15 million years ago. Part of the Turkey Tank Trail can be seen at the extreme right. From page 84 of “Sedona Through Time” 2nd ed., 2010 © Wayne Ranney

Beginning about 15 million years ago, volcanism returned to the Sedona area in the form of basaltic cinder cones, shield volcanos, and lava flows. Volcanism lasted until about 10 million years ago and all of the volcanic rocks seen along Interstate 17 from Sedona to Cave Creek belong to this period of volcanism.

House Mountain is located about seven miles southwest of Uptown Sedona, between Page Springs on the west and the Village of Oak Creek to the east. It was active for about 2 million years from 15 to 13 million years ago.

A curious feature of the volcano is that the lava flows only extend in three directions away from the central crater – south, east, and west. Why no lava flowed to the north remained a mystery until detailed mapping was carried out that reveal that the former presence of the Mogollon Rim here precluded the flow of lava to the north.

Since 13 million years ago, the Rim has retreated to its present position. This means that the Rim has an average rate of cliff retreat of about one foot every 625 years. What a find!

There are some fantastic trails that provide access to House Mountain volcano and one of the best is the Turkey Tank Trail, just west of the lower end of the Verde Valley School Road.

The trail begins through eroded bluffs of the Schnebly Hill Formation and slowly climbs 2.5 miles to the edge of the volcano’s central crater. Look to see if you can find the Ft. Apache Member of the Schnebly Hill Formation as you approach the summit.

One can continue (off-trail) across a small drainage in the volcano vent area to the top of the mountain and the remnant lava flow that gives the mountain its name.

Pioneers in the area likely observed a juniper tree growing out of the top of the flow making it look from the valley like a house replete with a chimney attached.

<<Continued Deposition, Uplift & Erosion | Creation of the Verde Valley & Verde Lake>>

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Wayne Ranney’s Publications

Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau
Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Blakey, Ron (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 156 Pages - 10/01/2008 (Publication Date) - Grand Canyon Association (Publisher)
$59.91
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Sedona Through Time
Sedona Through Time
  • Wayne Ranney (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 160 Pages - 09/23/2010 (Publication Date) - Primer Pub (Publisher)
$19.95
Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping
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The Grand Canyon, Monument to an Ancient Earth: Can Noah's Flood Explain the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon, Monument to an Ancient Earth: Can Noah's Flood Explain the Grand Canyon?
  • Hardcover Book
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages - 04/27/2016 (Publication Date) - Kregel Publications (Publisher)
$27.70
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Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery, Second Edition
Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery, Second Edition
  • Ranney, Wayne (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 200 Pages - 06/01/2012 (Publication Date) - Grand Canyon Association (Publisher)
$6.81
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Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Published on: May 17, 2012

Categories: Sedona GeologyTags: Basaltic cinder cones, House Mountain, lava flows, Schnebly Hill Formation, shield volcano, Turkey Tank Trail, Uptown Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Volcanism

About Wayne Ranney

I am a geologist, a writer, a river and trail guide, and a traveler. Everything seems right when I am on a trail or river watching the earth spin - my cares and worries disappear, my body and mind get exercise, and there is nothing to disturb the ebb and flow of life.

Out there is where ideas come to me, where stories flow through me like the rivers that carry me towards home. Now and then, I post ramblings on geology, life in the west and on a living planet, and travels across the globe.

Life is good if only we'd take the time to understand that.

http://www.wayneranney.com/
https://earthly-musings.blogspot.com/

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Continued Deposition, Uplift, and Erosion

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House Mountain Volcano

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