Lava vs. Water: The Fascinating Geology of Idaho's Menan Buttes
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- Take a hike up North Menan Butte with geology professor Shawn Willsey as he explores the fantastic geologic evidence of a volcanic eruption beneath the Snake River.
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Shawn Willsey
College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Avenue
Twin Falls, ID 83303 
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I live 5 miles to the east across the Snake River. I take my grandkids up the R-Mountain, as we call it, at least a couple of times a year. They call the big bowel at the end of the video the “toilet bowel”.
I’m a former USGS geologist. Love your videos.
It was interesting that during the Teton Dam Flood of 1976, all that water that tried to follow the Snake River channel backed up when it got to the Buttes as it sort of tried to follow it's ancient path that went through them rather than around them.
Wow. Interesting. Look for a Teton dam video very soon.
Thank you for explaining that puzzle Professor. Geology is how time writes, and that was a fascinating story to read.
Since watching your videos I'm amazed how much volcanic activity is in Southern Idaho. When I was young and traveling through that area I only knew about Craters of the Moon. Back then I was only excited by the road runners. My mother was a lifelong passionate bird watcher. Dad and I learned to pay attention to birds out of self defense.
Thanks Shawn. I learned a lot. At my age, I don't make it out into the field as often as I like. Your virtual field trips fill the gaps and teach me new things. Thank you!
Thank you for exceeding travel videos by adding science! Without typing a wordy explanation, 66 with difficulties… seeing places I would love to or have seen with a science added… is not only entertainment, it is refreshing to my brain, my existence. I can support you beyond saying that, but carry on Prof. Carry on!
You're very welcome!
You are providing a great opportunity to learn geology Shawn & that's awesome when universities are not always convenient in the cycle of working life 😢 I just realised that donating Aussies dollars to US is economically embarrassing 😂
Thanks for your kind words and viewership. I really enjoy making these videoed and sharing with great folks like you. Thanks for your support!
Thank you! Very interesting!
Love being able to see these great geologic locations
Thanks for hiking up 700 feet to show us the wonders of the place. Blows the imagination, thinking about how much the landscape has changed over time.
Very enlightening 🎉 Thank you!
Phreatomagmatic. I'm going to have to work that word into conversation today.
140,000 to 10,000 years ago you replied. So this was happening during the last glacial maximum period? Amazing to imagine what it must have looked like! Thanks for showing us!
My pleasure. Thanks for your support!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thanks for doing this one. I grew up and spent most of my first 30 years within sight of the N. Menan Butte, but I never made the hike up to the crater. In fact, I didn't know there was a parking lot and trail... there probably wasn't when I was a kid. I always had a fascination with it when I was little and when I would find a big "lava rock" in the garden, I'd look up at the "Butte Volcano", as we called it, and imagine that rock flying out of it and landing in my back yard, miles away. I really appreciate what you do Shawn, thanks again.
The parking lot and trail were a surprise to me when I saw them a year or two ago! As a kid in a school field trip the school bus just parked on the side of the dirt road, and we all did a scramble up the side. That trip was the first time I saw a scorpion. Saw a couple out there last summer as well.
Thanks! I appreciate your continued explaining earths geological processes. As a long-term active hiker I'm seeing and appreciating more and more as I slowly continue to recognize and grasp on to remembering more of the many geological features explained in your greatly informative videos .
Cool stuff, Professor. I am a new fan, I am a Zentnerd. Idaho has so much great geology.
Welcome aboard! Have fun perusing the existing videos.
The formation of these volcanoes must have been a wild sight to see. Need to remember at 10,000 to 13,000 years ago
there was a shallow set of lakes around here. It was colder here for a long period of time. Water from melting glacier
activity formed an ancient Snake River system or maybe an early Snake River fork. With much more water just sitting
there compared to today and with a great amount of groundwater no doubt, it then met a newly forming volcano with
obviously explosive results. This kind of volcano is very rare in North America but I believe both Iceland and Hawaii have
had their respective shares of this type of volcano. Thanks for a really great video Shawn.
Well between your good self , Nick and skye I have been having a great time on virtual field trips to places that I will never see in real life , thanks for sharing and furthering my love of the earth and her machinations!
All the best Jules 👍
Watched a lot of these. Geo 10 many years ago in college sparked a life long interest in how things got the way they are. These 20 minute posts are short enough and informative enough for all tastes. And they're fun. Thanks.
I always look forward to your taking me to places I might have some familiarity with from the distant past to get a perspective I never had before.
Your students are really lucky to have such a great teacher ! As are all of us subscribers!
Thanks. Was on top this weekend, family has a home in the area so this was wonderful.
I can see these buttes from my deck and hiked it once a few years ago. Great that you can come here to Eastern Idaho to teach us all the technical details about how things like this formed. Makes it beautiful here!
I live in Houghton Michigan in the upper peninsula . There are mountains of basalt here from an ancient rift. The geology here is fascinating.
Thank you for the great geology tour of the Menan Buttes. Looking forward to exploring it for myself soon.
I assume that you know this, Shawn, your program is unique in the world. I have searched may
times for actual "in the field" geology programs. None, except...for Shawn Willsey! Not only that,
your presentation is enthusiastic, curious, pro camera work, excellent lens and camera, and great
subject matter. I usually watch through streaming rather than RUclips site on my mac, so I can't
comment to you that way. Onward and Upward, Professor Willsey! your devoted viewers,
Larry and Shirley Gaab
See also Nick Zentner. Mix of field and lectures in classroom and community (and some in his back yard during the pandemic).
Thanks Larry and Shirley for your kind words. These videos are a fun way for me to share awesome geology and locations. There are a few other geologists out there doing similar things but we each have our own style and focus. Thanks again for your loyal viewership.
excellent! thanks.
This is really interesting! Very fun, I love seeing the places, to get to experience what you've talked about. And cool intro....
👍🏻👍🏻💞😊
My awesome wife designed the intro. Beyond my skill set.
@@shawnwillsey lucky guy (and wife) 😁👍🏻
Thanks Shawn for the tour of your area. I’ve always enjoy history of areas in the U.S., but at this stage of my life, I’m unable to go to these areas except by the internet by people like you. Again, thank you.
FANTASTIC Shawn. Love these insights in my back yard!
Regards,
Richard
Fascinating. Thank you.
If google let me I would give this post two thumbs up!
Live all your videos, will see if I can get to that site next month when we go to southern Idaho.
Awesome. Look for a few more videos from this area in the coming weeks.
Really enjoy your videos! Have learned a lot! Thanks!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for your kind donation.
Thanks Shawn, this is now on my list.
Fantastic!
Look for more eastern Idaho videos over next few days.
Thank you. Really enjoy your videos!
Hi Shawn. Great video. I have a black, half oval sort of shape piece of rock that looks like it should be pumice, but it's heavy like granite. In the middle is a quartz crystal. You've just explained how it was made. Thank-you! As to how it came into my possession, I can't recall. But I am in Australia, so hopefully it didn't come from Menan Buttes !
Great location and story. Well done! Thx
Excellent video. I live in western Oregon now, but I grew up in southern Idaho, near Idaho Falls. This video shows my old stompin' grounds. I wish I had known more about what I was looking at when I was doing all that stompin'!
I feel so lucky to have lived in Island Park and currently live in Northern Utah
Thanks for your work are stories very interesting
Great Video thank you Shawn!
Great video and wonderfully explained... Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. I've added the North Butte to my "Want To Go" list for when I get out there in August.
Right on! This is a great class.
Glad you like it!
The vegetation up there is varied and lush - I'd like to see your excellent video of a landscape like this unraveling the story of it's making, along with a video by one of your botanical colleagues, going over the same ground but looking at and describing the plants and their relationship to that landscape. And to be triply interesting, a video by one of your other colleagues covering exactly the same ground again, but looking at the wildlife, both big and small, that use it. Perhaps all three edited to be interleaved together - or just one after the other. Same place, different complex perspectives.
The YT channel 'Crime pays but botany doesn't ' does just that, links botany to geology.
Pulsating effect might be from ground water being steamed out and refilling until it again reaches critical volume.
Your videos are great, I feel like I’m right there with you, so much great information, really appreciate your time and effort to produce these.
I've been visiting Rexburg for work over the last few months. Driven by here a few times but haven't stopped yet. I'll make sure to make time and visit this feature properly in the future.
I drove through here on the way to Yellowstone. Had no idea those were there. I probably saw them and didn't even blink. I'm going to have to make the trip again.
Thanks Shawn, great video providing more information regarding what happens when magma comes in contact with water. 242 like ...... When temperatures get cooler, I plan to revisit some areas in LMNRA (North Shore Road) that possibly have similar geological issues.
Thanks for sharing your field trips. We do enjoy learning geology from you.
Thanks for watching!
I'd think that even irrespective of the available water around the confluence of the Snake and Henry's Fork, the sheer size of the Snake River Plain aquifer that runs through there would provide ample water for a phreatic eruption at that location.
Yep. Likely groundwater was largest contributor of water.
@@shawnwillsey I was _stunned_ at the amount of water in that aquifer when you went to 1,000 Springs. I was like wow, what CA would give for an aquifer like that one.
It must be fun to see the world through geologist eyes!
I had no idea Idaho has volcanoes. I’m learning, Professor. Thank you.
Love your cool videos! Wish there was someone doing something cool like this in Pennsylvania!
I enjoy the part about the egg shaped holes that are in the vent and how they are coming out that is very interesting those shapes have always baffled me. 🇺🇸🎆
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm absorbing best I can.
Keep it up
Just discovered your channel as I'm following the increased EQ activity on Iceland that may be the precursor to another volcanic eruption. I will have to watch some of your backlog!
As always- great vid
Thank you
Love these videos. Thank you.
😊 Thank you for sharing!
excellent video thank you shawn
Thank you again for the interessting video. You are a Good pedagog.
Fascinating stuff!!
Thank you, so interesting
Thanks very interesting and well explained.
Thank you. Informative. I knew tuff, but I’d never heard of a tuff cone. Your clarity about phreatomagmatic eruptions rounded out my slightly vague understanding. Both the basaltic and quartzite zeoliths (also a new term for me) were fascinating.
I live on the coast here in oregon but I was born in Sun Valley and grow up in Hailey and Shoshone, and grandad would always take us to Redfish Lake and Alturas Lake on the boat for fishing. This was back when you could still catch the fish that redfish lake is named after, the Red Drum fish. I thank you for your show I have the worst case of homesickness, and unfortunately I'll never make it home again do to injuries received in the service. The hourglass' sand is down to the last few grains, but at least your show has shown me the beauty I remember from the 60s and 70s. Thank You!
Thanks! Phreatomagmatic!!
Thank you! Fun word.
An awesome lesson thank you. I definitely learned something new. I never learned about this type of volcano in my volcano class a few years ago.
Thanks again, Shawn!! Very interesting! (and great to see more $upport...)
My pleasure. Thank you for your kind donation.
Professor. enjoy your vids. I was inspired to obtain Roadside Geology Of Ohio. TY.
That is awesome!
Nice video Shawn. Enjoyed watching. Look forward to seeing the next video. :D
More to come!
Thanks!
You can support my field videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8
Really interesting, thanks. I noticed as you climbed that you have got rid of that pesky cough that was bugging you last year.
Beautiful basalt buttes, bro. Belching breccia. Behaving bees
Bumps make water go fast and make rivers.
Darn right, I subscribed. Very clear geological explanations
Awesome, thank you!
Excellent Presentation!!
Glad you liked it!
I love it too! ❤❤❤❤❤
Nick Zenter teaches a lot of this as well. He teaches in Washington State, very interesting! Both of you are so interesting!
Said it before but you guys are so damned lucky to have all that geology and space open to everyone - not only are we in U.K. limited by every inch of everywhere being owned by someone but a debateable number of Ice Ages rolled over the place eradicating many features and then the weather improved so much that loads of trees covered the place! All we are left with is a few quarries and the coast - unless you live near Wales or Scotland. Look forward to seeing more great country Shawn.
Thanks for your support and viewership.
Thank you for the virtual field trip! I took a year of geology in college and loved it! My prof at BMCC took us on field trips that were out of this world amazing! Your video sparks a question: t. Hood is considered an active volcano. The part of the cone where it likely last erupted faces the Columbia and would be the path of least resistance if it erupted from the cone. While the Columbia is far enough that lava is unlikely to reach the river, what would the scenario be if did do that?
Thanks
Thank you for your donation.
Looks like a great place for ham radio too!
Shawn, if you cracked open one of those xenolith bubbles of basalt, what would be on the inside?
More basalt. It’s a solid chunk of rock.
West and north of the Menan Buttes are much older lava flows. There are also old flows east of the Henry’s Fork that form the foundation of the Rexburg bench. Perhaps some of the black chunks of lava mixed with the tuff were incorporated in the mix as the new material came up through the older lava flows.
Just came out of Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone and was fascinated by the Geology. Could you do a segment on Shoshone? What really fascinated me was the obsidian sand beaches.
Will try to do this when I can.
💯💯💯
Also, the Teton River merges with the Henry's Fork in the vicinity. Maybe back then all three merged closer together roughly in the Menan Buttes footprint area.
The tuff with smooth surface near the summit is attractive. Any thoughts on the erosional mechanism? Wind?
Mostly water and freeze-thaw. Maybe a bit of wind abrasion but wind is almost always over hyped as an erosional agent.
Awesome videos. Thanks. What kind of camera and gimbal do you use?
Thanks. Glad you liked this. I use a GoPro for most videos.
Thanks for right away pinpointing the exact location you are discussing. Many people do not do that leaving you wondering where the location is. And when do you finally get those dreaded braces off, brother?
Ha. I can't wait. Should be in a few months (crossing fingers).
@@shawnwillsey Good news. My mom had them as an adult for quite a while. They really helped.
Snakes love it
Shawn Willsey. Have you ever do anything on Mt. Shasta and Mt. Shastina? If you have or have not. I used to drive a route from Sacramento to Yreka. I have always going to and from Yreka, I noticed a Mountain due West from Mt. Shasta called Mt. Eddy. I noticed something was odd about Mt. Eddy. Mt. Eddy has lost a lot of elevation. I have tried to find information on Mt. Eddy, but none have been wriiten about Mt. Eddy. From what I cannot find. Can you do a video on Mt. Eddy?
OK, paused at 4:42 to Google Earth the buttes. Wide, shallow craters, thinking lots of gas, maybe explosive, perhaps reacting with ground water in the basalt layers, looking at the rock, seeing white crystals, maybe feldspars, thinking maybe more dacitic than andesitic, certainly steeper sides to the cones than usually seen with basaltic fissure eruptions. Now, what is the REAL story? Back to the video.
EDIT: The “basalt xenoliths” are vesicular, showing that they may be from the upper portions of a basalt flow, the cones ARE elongated SW to NE, the prevailing wind direction in that area, lending support to a steam and gas driven extrusion due to interaction with ground water, and expelled material being distributed downwind. The two cones seem to be aligned mostly on a slightly NW-SE axis following the trend of extensional faulting that has produced other basaltic eruptions in the area. Back to the video.
SECOND EDIT: At 18:12. There was a short phase of the most recent Icelandic eruption where there were dense clouds of brownish ash being erupted pretty close to Grindavik that subsided after a a comparatively short interval, that were described as being due to interaction with ground water. I wonder if that new phreatomagmatic deposit could be described as palagonitic, and does it have chunks of vesicular basalt incorporated in the deposit? Or was it buried by subsequent flows and inaccessible, even after it cools off?
the shape of this volcano looks very similar to Monte Gauro/corvaro and monte Nuovo in the Campi Flegrei Italy.