Bandera Volcano Ice Cave

Bandera Volcano Ice Cave, also known as Zuni Ice Cave, is a collapsed lava tube cave in New Mexico with an internal temperature significantly less than above-ground summertime ambient temperature; it contains perennial ice.[1] The inside temperatures can fluctuate between −1 and 10 °C (31 and 50 °F). Some areas of the caves never reach above freezing. For years, local people used the cave to store food.[1]

Zuni-Bandera Ice Cave)

Geology

The lava tube was formed during the Bandera Crater eruption sometime between 9,500 and 10,900 years ago, during one of the many basaltic eruptions in the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field over the past million years (Laughlin et al., 1993).[2] The crater's cinder cone is 900-feet high reaching 8,309 feet above sea level.[3]

Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano

The eruption produced numerous formations in addition to lava tubes including a cinder cone, collapse pits, spatter cones and spine. The type of lava is ʻAʻā which is more viscous than pāhoehoe.[1] There are many lava tubes and several ice caves in the area including Giant Ice Cave.[3] One has been developed commercial ice cave near the Candelaria Trading Post.[2] Some of the lava tubes in the area are as more than 17 miles in length.[3]

Location

The cave system is located in the El Malpais lava field within the boundaries of El Malpais National Monument. The cave's location is N34° 59.556', W108° 04.926'.

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References
  1. "Overview Geology References Pahoehoe Features Lava Tubes A-a Features & Ice Cave Cinder Cone Features of the Bandera Crater flow, Including Aa Lava & Ice Caves". New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  2. "Geologic Background Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field". New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  3. Benanav, Michael (28 August 2014). "Into a Lava-Lined Underworld Near Albuquerque". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
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