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Stop adding this to articles. It's a non-existant category and it is an entirely inappropriate category for Wikipedia.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 06:33, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
{{otheruses|Craters of the Moon}}
:Why do you think it's an inappropriate category? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW|talk]]) 06:35, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
{{Infobox_protected_area | name = Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
::Because it is a subjective grouping instead of an objective one.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 06:35, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| iucn_category = III
:::What about "category:lists of things considered unusual" [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW|talk]]) 06:37, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| image = US_Locator_Blank.svg
::::Still not good. Who considers it unusual? It is blatantly subjective and not NPOV. Do not bother categorizing lists or any article as "unusual."—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 06:38, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| caption =
:::::Are you advocating the deletion of all the lists containing the word "unusual"? I'm not being flippant... [[List of unusual deaths]] has been on my watchlist for a while, and recently I've been thinking that it violates OR (this has come up in the archives it turns out, but the article has survived several Afd's). I decided to look up all the other lists with the word unusual and see what common thread there was... thought I'd try to make a category for them while I was at it. Your thoughts. [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 06:42, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| locator_x = 58
::::::No, I am not. I am saying that your categorization of all of these lists, just because they use the word "unusual" is inappropriate. For these items to be listed as "unusual" on these lists, someone scholastic must have decided as such. The articles are fine. The categorization is not.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 06:44, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| locator_y = 47
:::::::That's not actually true for all the articles. Do you advocate the deletion or renaming of articles which "someone scholastic" has not "decided as such"? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 06:47, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
| location = Southern [[Idaho]], [[United States|USA]]
| nearest_city = [[Arco, Idaho]]
| lat_degrees = 43
| lat_minutes = 25
| lat_seconds = 0
| lat_direction = N
| long_degrees = 113
| long_minutes = 31
| long_seconds = 0
| long_direction = W
| area = {{convert|714727|acre|km2|0}}
| established = Monument: May 2, 1924<br/>Preserve: August 21, 2002
| visitation_num = 183,111
| visitation_year = 2004
| governing_body = [[National Park Service]] and [[Bureau of Land Management|BLM]]
}}
[[Image:Craters of the Moon National Monument-2000px.jpeg|thumb|500px|Craters of the Moon from U.S. 20-26-93]]
'''Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve''' is a [[U.S. National Monument|national monument]] and [[national preserve]] located in the [[Snake River Plain]] in central [[Idaho]], near the small town of [[Arco, Idaho|Arco]]. The [[protected area]]'s features are [[volcano|volcanic]] and represent one of the best preserved [[flood basalt]] areas in the continental United States.


Let me get back to my initial statement and leave it at that: do not create [[:Category:Unusual lists]] and do not add articles into it.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 06:50, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
The Monument was established on May 2, 1924.<ref name="NPS1991p7"/> In November 2000, a Presidential proclamation greatly expanded the Monument area. The [[National Park Service]] portions of the expanded Monument were designated as '''Craters of the Moon National Preserve''' in August 2002. It lies in parts of [[Blaine County, Idaho|Blaine]], [[Butte County, Idaho|Butte]], [[Lincoln County, Idaho|Lincoln]], [[Minidoka County, Idaho|Minidoka]], and [[Power County, Idaho|Power]] counties. The area is managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the [[Bureau of Land Management]] (BLM).<ref name="NPSmanagement">[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], "Management"</ref>
:I have stopped, but I'd still like your thoughts on this. The reason I was trying to make this category was that I was wondering if a standard of unusualness could (or should) be created. Please have a look at the discussion at [[List of unusual deaths]]. It seems that a standard for "unusual" has been discussed several times over the years, but never created (or discovered, which would be more in line with OR). This also seems to be an issue with the standards at [[List of unusual animal anecdotes]], [[List of unusual personal names]], [[List of socially unusual fictional planets]], [[List of chemical compounds with unusual names]], [[List of unusual units of measurement]], [[List of cars with unusual door designs]]. [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:01, 12 October 2008 (UTC)


<-- Ryulong, very seriously, what policy forbids this? I'd like to see a clear policy statement or an ArbCom decision. This isn't something for one admin to decide. If there is a clear statement that forbids this, then of course it should stop, but until then, this seems like interference and an abuse of admin status. I'll assume good faith and therefore expect you to produce such evidence. -- <i><b><font color="004000">[[User:Fyslee|Fyslee]]</font></b></i> / <b><font color="990099" size="1">[[User talk:Fyslee|talk]]</font></b> 06:51, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
The Monument and Preserve encompass three major [[lava field]]s and about {{convert|400|sqmi|km2|0}} of [[sagebrush]] steppe [[grassland]]s to cover a total area of {{convert|1117|sqmi|km2|0}}. All three lava fields lie along the '''Great Rift of Idaho''', with some of the best examples of open [[rift (geology)|rift]] cracks in the world, including the deepest known on Earth at {{convert|800|ft|m|-1}}. There are excellent examples of almost every variety of [[basalt]]ic lava as well as [[tree mold]]s (cavities left by lava-incinerated trees), [[lava tube]]s (a type of [[cave]]), and many other volcanic features.<ref name="Louter1992">{{harvnb|Louter|1992|}}</ref>
:Thanks, Fyslee, in the past I might have asked that question first, but these days admins seem on edge. [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:01, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

::Subjective categories have always been dismissed as far as I can remember.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 07:03, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
==Geography and geologic setting==
:::What is subjective about articles with the word unusual in them? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:06, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
[[Image:Craters of the Moon within Idaho.jpg|thumb|Craters of the Moon within Idaho]]
::::I am not going to discuss the articles. All I'm here to do was say that the categorization was inappropriate, and I am leaving it at that.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 07:09, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
The Craters of the Moon Lava Field spreads across {{convert|618|sqmi|km2|0}} and is the largest mostly [[Holocene]]-aged basaltic [[lava field]] in the lower 48 [[U.S. state]]s.<ref name=OwenBasVol/> The Monument and Preserve contain more than 25 volcanic cones including outstanding examples of [[volcanic cone|spatter cones]].<ref name="Kiver1999p340">{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=340}}</ref> The 60 distinct lava flows that form the Craters of the Moon Lava Field range in age from 15,000 to just 2,000&nbsp;years.<ref name="Kiver1999p343">{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=343}}</ref> The Kings Bowl and Wapi lava fields, both about 2,200&nbsp;years old, are part of the National Preserve.
:::::That comment is misplaced... here I'm asking what's subjective about the fact that they all contain the word "unusual", and what category name will satisfy objectivity in your mind? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:10, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

::::::I'll concede that [[:Category:Lists of things considered unusual]] would work.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 07:12, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Craters of the Moon Lava Field reaches southeastward from the [[Pioneer Mountains (Idaho)|Pioneer Mountains]]. This lava field is the largest of several large beds of lava that erupted from the {{convert|53|mi|km|0}} south-east to north-west trending Great Rift volcanic zone<ref name="Kiver1999p339">{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=339}}</ref>—a line of weakness in the Earth's crust created by [[Basin and Range]] rifting. Together with fields from other fissures they make up the Lava Beds of Idaho, which in turn are located within the much larger [[Snake River Plain]] volcanic province. The Great Rift almost extends across the entire Snake River Plain.
:::::::Shall I resume then? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:14, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

::::::::Yes. It is much more objective.—[[User:Ryulong|<font color="blue">Ryūlóng</font>]] ([[User talk:Ryulong|<font color="gold">竜龙</font>]]) 07:17, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
The rugged landscape remains remote and undeveloped with only one paved road across the northern end. Craters of the Moon is located in south-central Idaho midway between [[Boise, Idaho|Boise]] and [[Yellowstone National Park]] and its elevation at the visitor center is {{convert|5900|ft|m|-1}} above [[sea level]].<ref>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]]</ref> Combined [[U.S. Highway system|U.S. Highway]] [[U.S. Highway 20|20]]-[[U.S. Highway 26|26]]-[[U.S. Highway 93|93]] cuts through the north-western part of the monument and provides access to it.
← Third opinion: rather self-referential, aren't they? :-/ [[User:Xavexgoem|Xavexgoem]] ([[User talk:Xavexgoem|talk]]) 07:04, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

:That was my thought. [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:06, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Total average precipitation in the Craters of the Moon area is between 15 to 20&nbsp;inches (400 to 500&nbsp;mm) per year.<ref group=note>Lower elevation areas near the Snake River average only 10–11 inches of precipitation annually.</ref><ref name="NPS1991p35">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=35}}</ref> Most of this is lost in cracks in the [[basalt]], only to emerge later in springs and seeps in the walls of the [[Snake River Canyon (Idaho)|Snake River Canyon]]. Older lava fields on the plain have been invaded by [[drought]]-resistant plants such as [[sagebrush]], while younger fields, such as Craters of the Moon, only have a seasonal and very sparse cover of vegetation. In fact, from a distance this cover disappears almost entirely, giving an impression of utter black desolation. Repeated lava flows over the last 15,000 years have raised the land surface enough to expose it to the prevailing southwesterly winds, which help to keep the area dry.<ref name="NPS1991p13"/> Together these conditions make life on the lava field difficult.
::I think I was confused. I thought this was for a category of lists of unusual things... at any rate, I'm just saying that a reader is likely to determine that someone inside of WP decided something was weird. Dunno if that's really a breach of self-ref, but I agree it's too subjective. <small>My urge to wikilawyer and cite WP:OR is huge. So huge that I do it in small fonts and pretend like I'm not :-P</small> [[User:Xavexgoem|Xavexgoem]] ([[User talk:Xavexgoem|talk]]) 07:11, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

:::No, this was a category for lists containing the word unusual in their title. Is that really subjective? [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW#top|talk]]) 07:13, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
==History==
::::Ah, well that'll teach me to actually read the entire dispute before commenting :-P It ''is'' an unusual category, though ;-) [[User:Xavexgoem|Xavexgoem]] ([[User talk:Xavexgoem|talk]]) 07:23, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
===Native American history===
:::::No worries, at least you weren't an angry mastodon about it. [[User:NJGW|NJGW]] ([[User talk:NJGW|talk]]) 07:49, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
[[Paleo-Indians]] visited the area about 12,000 years ago but did not leave much archaeological evidence.<ref name="Kiver1999p338">{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=338}}</ref> Northern [[Shoshone]] created trails through the Craters of the Moon Lava Field during their Summer migrations from the [[Snake River]] to the [[Camas Prairie]], west of the lava field.<ref name="NPS1991p47">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=47}}</ref> Stone windbreaks at Indian Tunnel were used to protect campsites from the dry summer wind. No evidence exists for permanent habitation by any Native American group.<ref name="NPS1991p47"/> A [[hunting and gathering]] culture, the Northern Shoshone pursued [[Elk]], [[bear]]s, [[American Bison]], [[Cougar]]s, and [[Bighorn Sheep]]—all large game who no longer range the area.<ref name="NPS1991p47"/> The most recent volcanic eruptions ended about 2,100 years ago and were likely witnessed by the Shoshone people. Shoshone legend speaks of a serpent on a mountain who, angered by lightning, coiled around and squeezed the mountain until liquid rock flowed, fire shot from cracks, and the mountain exploded.<ref> [http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Idaho/CratersMoon/description_craters_moon.html USGS website]</ref>

===Goodale's Cutoff===
European [[Trapping (Animal)|fur trappers]] avoided the lava field area below the Pioneer Mountains by following Indian trails. Early white pioneers who sought [[gold]], affordable farm land to raise crops, or cheap ranch land to range cattle also avoided the lava fields and considered them useless.

[[Image:Big Southern Butte at Craters of the Moon NM-750px.JPG|thumb|300px|Big Southern Butte was used as a landmark by pioneers.]]
Pioneers traveling in [[wagon train]]s on the [[Oregon Trail]] in the 1850s and 1860s followed an alternate route in the area that used old Indian trails that skirted the lava flows. This alternate route was later named [[Goodale's Cutoff]] and part of it is located in the northern part of the monument.<ref name="NPS1991p48">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=48}}</ref> The cutoff was created to reduce the possibility of ambush by Shoshone warriors along the [[Snake River]] such as the one that occurred at Massacre Rocks, which today is memorialized in Idaho's [[Massacre Rocks State Park]].

After gold was discovered in the [[Salmon River]] area of Idaho a group of emigrants persuaded an [[Illinois]]-born trapper and trader named [[Tim Goodale]] to lead them through the cutoff. A large [[wagon train]] left in July 1862 and met up with more [[wagon]]s at Craters of the Moon Lava Field.<ref name="NPS1991p48"/> Numbering 795 men and 300 women and children, the unusually large group was relatively unmolested during its journey and named the cutoff for their guide.<ref name="NPS1991p49">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=49}}</ref> Improvements to the cutoff such as adding a ferry to cross the Snake River made it into a popular alternate route of the Oregon Trail.<ref name="NPS1991p49"/>

===Exploration and early study===
In 1879, two Arco cattlemen named Arthur Ferris and J.W. Powell became the first known people to explore the lava fields.<ref name="NPS1991p50">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=50}}</ref> They were investigating its possible use for [[grazing]] and watering cattle but found the area to be unsuitable and left.

[[United States Army]] Captain and western explorer [[B.L.E. Bonneville]] visited the lava fields and other places in [[the West (U.S.)|the West]] in the 19th century and wrote about his experiences in his diaries.<ref name="NPS1991p47"/> [[Washington Irving]] later used Bonneville's diaries to write the ''[[Adventures of Captain Bonneville]]'', saying this unnamed lava field is a place "where nothing meets the eye but a desolate and awful waste, where no grass grows nor water runs, and where nothing is to be seen but lava."<ref>{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=344}}</ref>

In 1901 and 1903, [[Israel Russell]] became the first geologist to study this area while surveying it for the [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS).<ref name="Kiver1999p338"/> In 1910, [[Samuel Paisley]] continued Russell's work and later became the monument's first custodian. Others followed and in time much of the mystery surrounding this and the other Lava Beds of Idaho was lifted.

The few Caucasians who visited the area in the 19th century created local legends that it looked like the surface of the [[Moon]]. Geologists Harold T. Stearns coined the name "Craters of the Moon" in 1923 while trying to convince the National Park Service to recommend protection of the area in a national monument.<ref name="NPS1991p8">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=8}}</ref>

===Limbert's expedition===
[[Robert Limbert]], a sometime taxidermist, tanner and furrier from Boise, Idaho, explored the area, which he described as "practically unknown and unexplored&nbsp;..." in the 1920s after hearing stories from fur trappers about "strange things they had seen while ranging the region".

[[Image:Craters of the Moon National Monument-10.jpg|thumb|left|The black soil on Inferno Cone exhibits the properties Limbert wrote about.]]
<!-- DEAD LINK Limbert wrote: "I had made two trips into the northern end, covering practically the same region as that traversed by a Geological Survey party in 1901. My first was a hiking and camping trip with Ad Santel (the wrestler), Dr. Dresser, and Albert Jones; the second was with Wes Watson and Era Martin (ranchers living about four miles [6 km] from the northern edge). The peculiar features seen on those trips led me to take a third across the region in the hope that even more interesting phenomena might be encountered." [http://kencole.nexuswebs.net/MiniPage/CRATERS1.HTML] /DEAD LINK-->
Limbert set out on his third and most ambitious foray to the area in 1924, this time with W.C. Cole and an [[Airedale Terrier]] to accompany him<!-- Geology of U.S. Parklands incorrectly says this happened in 1920 -->.<ref name="NPS1991p51">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=51}}</ref> Starting from [[Minidoka, Idaho|Minidoka]], [[Idaho]], they explored what is now the monument area from south to north passing Two Point Butte, Echo Crater, Big Craters, North Crater Flow, and out of the lava field through the [[Yellowstone Park and Lincoln Highway]] (now known as the Old Arco-Carey Road).<ref name="NPS1991p49"/> Taking the dog along was a mistake, Limbert wrote, "for after three days' travel his feet were worn and bleeding".<ref name="NPS1991p51"/>

A series of newspaper and magazine articles authored by Limbert were later published about this and previous treks, which increased public awareness of the area. The most famous of these was an article that appeared in a 1924 issue of ''[[National Geographic]]'' where he called the area "Craters of the Moon," helping to solidify the use of that name. In the article he had this to say about the [[cobalt]] blue of the Blue Dragon Flows:
:"It is the play of light at sunset across this lava that charms the spectator. It becomes a twisted, wavy sea. In the moonlight its glazed surface has a silvery sheen. With changing conditions of light and air, it varies also, even while one stands and watches. It is a place of color and silence&nbsp;..."<ref name="NPS1991p7">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=7}}</ref>

===Protection and later history===
[[Image:Craters of the Moon management sections map.jpg|thumb|250px|Management sections. Together the NPS Developed Area and NPS Wilderness Area made up the 1970 to 2000 extent of the Monument.]]
In large part due to Limbert's work, Craters of the Moon National Monument was proclaimed on May 2, 1924 by U.S. President [[Calvin Coolidge]] to "preserve the unusual and weird volcanic formations".<ref name="NPS1991p7"/><ref name="NPS1991p51"/> The [[Craters Inn]] and several cabins were built in 1927 for the convenience of visitors. The Mission 66 Program initiated construction of today's road system, visitor center, shop, campground and comfort station in 1956 and in 1959 the [[Craters of the Moon Natural History Association]] was formed to assist the monument in educational activities.<ref name=NPSwebsiteHistory/> The addition of an island of vegetation completely surrounded by lava known as Carey Kipuka ([[:Image:Carey Kipuka.jpg|air photo]]) increased the size of the monument by {{convert|5360|acre|km2|0}} in 1962.<ref name=NPSwebsiteHistory>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], "History & Culture"</ref>

Since then the monument has been enlarged. On October 23, 1970 the [[United States Congress]] set aside a large part of it—{{convert|43243|acre|km2|0}}—as [[Craters of the Moon National Wilderness]], protecting that part under the [[National Wilderness Preservation System]].

Much later [[NASA]] visited the real Moon through the [[Apollo program]] and found that its surface does not closely resemble this part of Idaho. NASA astronauts discovered that real Moon craters were almost all created by impacting [[meteorite]]s while their namesakes on Earth were created by [[volcanic eruption]]s;<ref name="NPS1991p8"/> both are desolate. Apollo astronauts performed part of their training at Craters of the Moon Lava Field by learning to look for and collect good [[rock (geology)|rock]] specimens in an unfamiliar and harsh environment.<ref name="NPS1991p9">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=9}}</ref>

For many years, geologists, biologists and environmentalists have advocated for expansion of the monument and its transformation into a national park. Part of that goal was reached in 2000 when the monument was expanded 13-fold from {{convert|53545|acre|km2|0}} to its current size in order to encompass the entire Great Rift zone and its three lava fields.<ref name="Clinton">{{harvnb|Clinton|2000}}</ref> The entire addition is called the Backcountry Area while the two older parts are called the Developed Area and Wilderness Area. Opposition by cattle interests and hunters to a simple expansion plan led to a compromise of having the addition become a [[national preserve]] in 2002 (which allows hunting, not ordinarily permitted in national parks and monuments in the U.S.). Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is co-managed by the [[National Park Service]] and the [[Bureau of Land Management]].<ref name="Clinton"/>

==Geology==
[[Image:Craters of the Moon from space.jpg|thumb|left|LANDSAT satellite photo showing the entire Great Rift volcanic zone and its three lava fields.]]

The [[Snake River Plain]] is a volcanic province that was created by a series of cataclysmic [[caldera]]-forming [[supervolcano | super-eruptions]] which started about 15 million years ago.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=24}}</ref> A migrating [[Hotspot (geology)|hotspot]] thought to now exist under [[Yellowstone Caldera]] in Yellowstone National Park has been implicated. This hot spot was under the Craters of the Moon area some 10 to 11&nbsp;million years ago but 'moved' as the [[North American Plate]] migrated southwestward.<ref group=note>Meaning Craters of the Moon once looked like Yellowstone does today and Yellowstone will one day look much like Craters of the Moon does now. Actually the hot spot stays in the same place while the overlying continent of North America moves. {{harv|NPS|1991|pp=7–12}}</ref> Pressure from the hot spot heaves the land surface up, creating [[fault-block mountain]]s. After the hot spot passes the pressure is released and the land subsides.

Leftover heat from this hot spot was later liberated by [[Basin and Range]]-associated rifting and created the many overlapping lava flows that make up the Lava Beds of Idaho. The largest rift zone is the Great Rift; it is from this fissure system that Craters of the Moon, Kings Bowl, and Wapi lava fields were created.

In spite of their fresh appearance, the oldest flows in the Craters of the Moon Lava Field are 15,000 years old and the youngest erupted about 2000 years ago, according to Mel Kuntz and other [[USGS]] geologists.<ref name="Kiver1999p339"/> Nevertheless the volcanic fissures at Craters of the Moon are considered to be dormant, not extinct and are expected to erupt sometime during the next thousand years. There are eight major eruptive periods recognized in the Craters of the Moon Lava Field.<ref name="Kiver1999p343"/> Each period lasted about 1000 years or less and were separated by relatively quiet periods that lasted between a 500 to as long as 3000 years.<ref name="Kiver1999p343"/ Individual lava flows were up to {{convert|30|mi|km|-1}} long with the Blue Dragon Flow being the longest.<ref name="Kiver1999p342">{{harvnb|Kiver|1999|p=342}}</ref>

[[Image:Kings Bowl and Great Rift from air.jpg|thumb|Kings Bowl and Great Rift from air. King's Bowl is a [[phreatic explosion]] pit {{convert|280|ft|m|-1}} 280 feet (85 m) long, {{convert|100|ft|m|0}}, and {{convert|100|ft|m|0}} deep, caused by lava coming in contact with groundwater producing a steam explosion 2,200 years ago. (NPS photo)]]

Kings Bowl Lava Field erupted during a single fissure eruption on the southern part of the Great Rift about 2,250 years ago. This eruption probably lasted only a few hours to a few days. The field preserves explosion pits, lava lakes, squeeze-ups, basalt mounds, and an ash blanket.<ref name="Kiver1999p340"/> The Wapi Lava Field probably formed from a fissure eruption at the same time as the Kings Bowl eruption. More prolonged activity over a period of months to a few years led to the formation of low [[shield volcano]] in the Wapi field. The Bear Trap lava tube, located between the Craters of the Moon and the Wapi lava fields, is a [[cave]] system more than {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} long.<ref name="Clinton"/> The lava tube is remarkable for its length and for the number of well-preserved lava cave features, such as lava stalactites and curbs, the latter marking high stands of the flowing lava forever frozen on the lava tube walls. The lava tubes and [[pit crater]]s of the monument are known for their unusual preservation of winter ice and snow into the hot summer months, due to shielding from the sun and the insulating properties of basalt.

[[Image:Rafted parts of North Crater.jpeg|thumb|left|Cinder crags from North Crater on the North Crater Flow]]
A typical eruption along the Great Rift and similar basaltic rift systems in starts with a curtain of very fluid lava shooting up to {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}} high along a segment of the rift up to {{convert|1|mi|km}} long.<ref name="NPS1991p29">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=29}}</ref> As the eruption continues pressure and heat decrease and the chemistry of the lava becomes slightly more [[silica]] rich. The curtain of lava responds by breaking apart into separate vents. Various types of volcanos may form at these vents; gas-rich pulverized lava creates [[cinder cone]]s (such as Inferno Cone – stop 4) and pasty lava blobs form [[spatter cone]]s (such as Spatter Cones – stop 5).<ref name="Kiver1999p339"/> Later stages of an eruption push lava streams out through the side or bottom of cinder cones, which usually ends the life of the cinder cone (North Crater, Watchmen, and Sheep Trail Butte are notable exceptions). This will sometimes breach part of the cone and carry it away as large and craggy blocks of cinder (as seen at North Crater Flow – stop 2 – and Devils Orchard – stop 3). Solid crust forms over lava streams and lava tubes (a type of cave) are created when lava vacates its course (examples can be seen at the Cave Area – stop 7).

Geologists feared that a large [[earthquake]] that shook [[Borah Peak]], Idaho's tallest mountain, in 1983 would restart volcanic activity at Craters of the Moon, though this proved not to be the case.<ref name="NPS1991p12">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=12}}</ref> Geologists predict that the area will experience its next eruption some time in the next 900 years with the most likely period in the next 100 years.<ref group=note>Eruptions were dated using [[paleomagnetism|paleomagnetic]] and [[radiocarbon dating|radiocarbon]] methods, which together give dates that are considered accurate to within 100 years {{harv|NPS|1991|pp=28–29}}. Both tests were conducted in 1980 by using charred vegetation directly below individual flows (for the radiocarbon test), and from rock core samples (for the paleomagnetic work).</ref>

==Biology==
===Conditions===
[[Image:Scoria field at Craters of the Moon NM-750px.JPG|thumb|This scoria field shows typical conditions at Craters of the Moon.]]
All plants and animals that live in and around Craters of the Moon are under great environmental stress due to constant dry [[wind]]s and heat-absorbing black lavas that tend to quickly sap water from living things. Summer [[soil]] temperatures often exceed 150&nbsp;°F (65&nbsp;°C) and plant cover is generally less than 5% on cinder cones and about 15% over the entire monument.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|pp=13–18}}</ref> Adaptation is therefore necessary for survival in this [[semi-arid]] harsh [[climate]].

Water is usually only found deep inside holes at the bottom of blow-out craters.<ref name="NPS1991p13">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=13}}</ref> Animals therefore get the moisture they need directly from their food.<ref name="NPSanimals"/> The black soil on and around cinder cones does not hold moisture for long, making it difficult for plants to establish themselves. Soil particles first develop from direct rock decomposition by [[lichen]]s and typically collect in crevices in lava flows. Successively more complex plants then colonize the microhabitat created by the increasingly-productive soil.

The shaded north slopes of cinder cones provide more protection from direct [[sun]]light and prevailing southwesterly winds and also have a more persistent snow cover (an important water source in early spring). These parts of cinder cones are therefore colonized by plants first.

Gaps between lava flows were sometimes cut-off from surrounding vegetation. These literal islands of habitat are called [[kipuka]]s, a [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] name used for older land surrounded by younger lava. Carey Kipuka is one such area in the southernmost part of the monument and is used as a benchmark to measure how plant cover has changed in less pristine parts of southern Idaho.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=41}}</ref>

===Plants===
There are 375 [[species]] of plant known to grow in the monument. When wildflowers are not in bloom, most of the vegetation is found in semi-hidden pockets and consists of [[pine tree]]s, cedars, [[juniper]]s, and [[sagebrush]]. Strategies used by plants to cope with the adverse conditions include:<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|pp=36–37}}</ref>
* Drought tolerance by physiological adaptations such as the ability to survive extreme [[dehydration]] or the ability to extract water from very dry soil. Sagebrush and [[Purshia tridentata|Antelope Bitterbrush]] are examples.
* Drought avoidance by having small, hairy, or succulent leaves to minimize moisture loss or otherwise conserve water. Hairs on scorpionweed, the succulent parts of the [[Opuntia|Pricklypear Cactus]], and the small leaves of the [[Stephanomeria|Wirelettuce]] are all local examples.
[[Image:Syringa in North Crater lava flow crack2.jpeg|thumb|[[Lilac|Syringa sp.]] in North Crater lava flow crack]]
* Drought escape by growing in small crevices or near persistent water supplies, or by staying dormant for about 95% of the year.<ref name="NPS1991p35"/> [[Moss]]es and [[fern]]s in the area grow near constant water sources such as natural potholes and seeps from [[ice cave]]s. [[Penstemon deustus|Scabland]] [[Penstemon]], Fernleaf [[Fleabane]], and [[Potentilla|Gland Cinquefoil]] grow in shallow crevices. [[Syringa]], [[Spiraea|Bush Rockspirea]], [[Chamaebatiaria|Tansybush]], and even [[Limber Pine]] grow in large crevices.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=38}}</ref> While [[Mimulus|Dwarf Monkeyflower]]s ([[:Image:Monkeyflower at Craters of the Moon National Monument.jpeg|photo]]) carry out their entire [[biological life cycle|life cycle]] during the short wet part of the year and survive in [[seed]] form the rest of the time.

A common plant seen on the lava field is the Dwarf [[Buckwheat]] ([[:image:Drawf Buckweat at Craters of the Moon National Monument.jpeg|photo]]), a flowering plant {{convert|4|in|mm}} tall with a root system {{convert|3|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="NPS1991p35"/> The root system monopolizes soil moisture in its immediate area, resulting in individual plants that are evenly spaced. Consequently, many visitors have asked park rangers if the buckwheat were systematically planted.

[[Wildflower]]s bloom from early May to late September but most are gone by late August.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=42}}</ref> Moisture from snow-melt along with some rainfall in late spring kick-starts the [[germination]] of annual plants, including wildflowers. Most of these plants complete their entire [[biological life cycle|life cycle]] in the few months each year that moisture levels are good. The onset of summer decreases the number of wildflowers and by autumn only the tiny yellow flowers of sagebrush and rabbitbrush remain. Some wildflowers that grow in the area are the [[Balsamorhiza sagittata|Arrow-leaved]] [[Balsamorhiza|Balsamroot]], [[Bitterroot]], [[Liatris|Blazing Star]], [[Lomatium|Desert Parsley]], Dwarf Monkeyflower, [[Butterfly weed|Paintbrush]], [[Phacelia bolanderi|Scorpionweed]], Scabland Penstemon] and the [[Wild Onion]].

===Animals===
Years of cataloging by biologists and park rangers have recorded 2000 species of insect, 8 reptiles, 169 birds, 48 mammals, and even one amphibian (the [[Western Toad]]). Birds and some [[rodent]]s are seen most frequently in the Craters of the Moon area.<ref name="NPSanimals">[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], "Animals"</ref> [[Brown Bear]]s once roamed this area but have long ago become locally [[extinction|extinct]]. Traditional [[livestock]] grazing continues within the grass/shrublands administered by the BLM.

[[Image:Marmot at Devil's Orchard in Craters of the Moon NM-550px.JPG|thumb|left|Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel at Devil's Orchard]]
Most desert animals are [[nocturnal]], or mainly active at night. Nocturnal behavior is an adaptation to both predation and hot summer daytime temperatures. Nocturnal animals at Craters of the Moon include [[woodrat]]s (also called packrats), [[skunk]]s, [[fox]]es, [[bobcat]]s, [[mountain lion]]s, [[bat]]s, [[nighthawk]]s, [[owl]]s, and most other small desert rodents.<ref name="NPSanimals"/>

Animals that are most active at dawn and dusk, when temperatures are cooler than mid-day, are called [[crepuscular]]. The subdued morning and evening light helps make them less visible to predators, but is bright enough to allow them to locate food. Some animals are crepuscular mainly because their prey is. Crepuscular animals in the area include [[mule deer]], [[coyote]]s, [[porcupine]]s, [[Mountain Cottontail]]s, [[jackrabbit]]s, and many [[songbird]]s.<ref name="NPSanimals"/>

Some desert animals are diurnal, or primarily active during the day. These include [[ground squirrel]]s, [[marmot]]s, [[chipmunk]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[snake]]s, [[hawk]]s, and [[eagle]]s.<ref name="NPSanimals"/>

Many animals have a specific temperature range where they are active, meaning the times they are active vary with the seasons. Snakes and lizards [[hibernation| hibernate]] during the winter months, are diurnal during the late spring and early fall, and become crepuscular during the heat of summer. Many insects and some birds also alter their times of activity. Some animals, like ground squirrels and marmots, have one or more periods of [[estivation]], a summer hibernation that allows them to avoid the hottest and driest periods.<ref name="NPSanimals"/>

Several animals are unique to Craters of the Moon and the surrounding area. Subspecies of [[Great Basin Pocket Mouse]], [[pika]], [[Yellow-pine Chipmunk]], and [[Yellow-bellied Marmot]] are found nowhere else.<ref name="NPSanimals"/> [[Lava tube beetle]]s and many other cave animals are found only in the lava tubes of eastern Idaho.<ref name="NPSanimals"/>

====Mule Deer====
In May 1980 wildlife researcher Brad Griffith of the [[University of Idaho]] started a three year study to mark and count the [[Mule Deer]] in the monument.<ref name="NPS1991p18">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=18}}</ref> The [[National Park Service]] was concerned that the local herd might grow so large that it would damage its habitat. Griffith found that this group of Mule Deer has developed a totally unique [[drought]] evasion strategy for its species.<ref name="NPS1991p18"/>

The [[deer]] arrive in the southern part of the pre-2000 extent of the monument mid-April each year once winter snows have melted away enough to allow for foraging. Griffith found that by late summer plants in the area have already matured and dried to the point that they can no longer provide enough moisture to sustain the deer. In late July after about 12 days above {{convert|80|°F|°C}} and warm nights above {{convert|50|°F|°C}} the herd migrates 5 to 10&nbsp;miles (8 to 16&nbsp;km) north to the Pioneer Mountains to obtain water from free-flowing streams and shade themselves in [[aspen]] and [[Douglas-fir]] groves.<ref name="NPS1991p18"/> Rain in late September prompts the herd to return to the monument to feed on bitterbrush until snow in November triggers them to migrate back to their winter range. This herd, therefore, has a dual summer range. It is also very productive with one of the highest fawn survival rates of any herd in the species.<ref>{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=45}}</ref>

Afternoon winds usually die down in the evening, prompting behavioral modifications in the herd. The deer avoid the dry wind by being more active at night when the wind is not blowing.<ref name="NPS1991p19">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=19}}</ref> In 1991 there was a three-year average of 420 Mule Deer.<ref name="NPS1991p19"/>

==Recreational activities==
[[Image:Craters of the Moon Loop Drive map.jpg|thumb|350px|Craters of the Moon Loop Drive map]]
A series of fissure vents, cinder cones, [[volcanic cone#spatter cone|spatter cone]]s, rafted blocks, and overlapping lava flows are accessible from the Loop Drive, {{convert|7|mi|km}} long. [[Wildflower]]s, shrubs, trees, and wild animals can be seen by hiking on one of the many trails in the monument or by just pulling over into one of the turn-offs. More rugged hiking opportunities are available in the Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area and Backcountry Area, the roadless southern and major part of the monument.

# The Visitor Center is located near the monument's only entrance. Various displays and publications along with a short film about the geology of the area help to orient visitors. Ranger-led walks are available in summer and cover topics such as wildlife, flowers, plants, or geology. Self-guiding tours and displays are available year-round and are easily accessible from the Loop Drive.
# A paved trail less than 1/4&nbsp;mile (400&nbsp;m) long at ''North Crater Flow'' ([[:image:North Crater cinder cone and flow-1200px.jpeg|photo]]) goes through the Blue Dragon Lava Flow, which formed about 2200&nbsp;years ago, making it one of the youngest lava flows on the Craters of the Moon Lava Field.<ref name="NPStrails">[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], "Trail Descriptions"</ref> This lava is named for the purplish-blue tint that tiny pieces of [[obsidian]] (volcanic glass) on its surface exhibit. Good examples of pahoehoe (roppy), aa (jagged), and some block lava are readily visible along with large rafted crater wall fragments. The rafted crater wall fragments seen on the flow were once part of this cinder cone but were torn away when the volcano's lava-filled crater was breached. A 1.8-mile-long trail (2.9&nbsp;km) includes the 1/2&nbsp;mile (800&nbsp;m) overlook trail but continues on through the crater and to the Big Craters/Spatter Cones parking lot.<ref name="NPStrails"/>
#''Devils Orchard'' ([[:image:Devils Orchard at Craters of the Moon National Monument.jpeg|photo]]) is a group of lava-transported cinder cone fragments (also called monoliths or cinder crags) that stand in cinders. Like the blocks at stop 2 they were once part of the North Crater cinder cone but broke off during an eruption of lava. A 1/2&nbsp;mile-long (800&nbsp;m) paved loop trial through the formations and trees of the "orchard" is available.<ref name="USGS">[[#USGS|USGS website]]</ref> The interpretive displays on the trail emphasize human impacts to the area.
#''Inferno Cone Viewpoint'' ([[:Image:Craters of the Moon National Monument from Inferno Cone-2000px.jpg|photo]]) is located on top of Inferno Cone cinder cone. A short but steep trail up the cinder cone leads to an overlook of the entire monument. From there the Spatter Cones can be seen just to the south along with a large part of the Great Rift. In the distance is the over 700-foot-tall (>200&nbsp;m) Big Cinder Butte, one of the world's largest, purely [[basalt]]ic, cinder cones.<ref name=OwenBasVol>[[#Owen2004|Owen 2004]], "Basaltic Volcanism"</ref> Further away are the Pioneer Mountains (behind the Visitor Center) and beyond the monument are the [[White Knob Mountains]], the [[Lost River Range]], and the [[Lemhi Range]].
#''Big Craters and Spatter Cones'' ([[:image:Spatter Cones at Craters of the Moon National Monument.jpeg|photo]]) sit directly along the local part of the Great Rift fissure. Spatter cones are created by accumulations of pasty gas-poor lava as they erupt from a vent. Big Craters is a cinder cone complex located less than 300&nbsp;feet (90&nbsp;m) up a steep foot trail.<ref name="NPStrails"/>
#''Tree Molds'' ([[:image:Tree mold at Craters of the Moon National Monument.jpeg|photo]]) is an area within the Craters of the Moon Wilderness where lava flows overran part of a forest. The trees were incinerated but as some of them burned they released enough water to cool the lava to form a cast. Some of these casts survived the eruption and mark the exact location and shape of the burning trees in the lava. Both holes and horizontal molds were left, some still showing shapes indicative of bark. The actual Tree Molds area is located a mile (1.6&nbsp;km) from the Tree Molds parking lot and [[picnic]] area off a moderately difficult wilderness trail.<ref name="NPStrails"/> This trail continues past the Tree Molds and 3&nbsp;miles (5&nbsp;km) further into the wilderness area before gradually disappearing near Echo Crater. A pull off on the spur road leading to the Tree Molds area presents the Lava Cascades, a frozen river of Blue Dragon Flow lava that temporarily pooled in the Big Sink.
#''Cave Area'' is the final stop on Loop Drive and, as the name indicates, has a collection of lava tube [[cave]]s. Formed from the Blue Dragon Flow, the caves are located a half-mile (800&nbsp;m) from the parking lot and include,<ref name="NPS1991">{{harvnb|NPS contributors|1991}}</ref>
::*Dewdrop Cave,
::*Boy Scout Cave,
::*Beauty Cave,
::*Surprise Cave, and
::*Indian Tunnel.
:The caves are open to visitors but flashlights are needed except in Indian Tunnel and some form of head protection is highly recommended when exploring any of the caves. [[Lava tube]]s are created when the sides and surface of a lava flow hardens. If the fluid interior flows away a cave is left behind.

Craters of the Moon Campground has 51 sites – none of which can be reserved in advance.<ref>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], "Campground"</ref> [[Camping]] facilities are basic but do include water, restrooms, charcoal grills, and trash containers. [[National Park Service]] rangers present evening programs at the campground amphitheater in the summer.

[[Image:North Crater in winter.jpg|thumb|North Crater in winter (NPS photo)]]

Backcountry [[hiking]] is available in the Craters of the Moon Wilderness and the much larger Backcountry Area beyond (added in 2000). Only two trails enter the [[wilderness area]] and even those stop after a few miles or kilometers. From there most hikers follow the Great Rift and explore its series of seldom-visited volcanic features. All overnight backcountry hikes require registration with a ranger. No drinking water is available in the backcountry and the dry climate quickly dehydrates hikers. Avoiding summer heat and winter cold are therefore recommended by rangers. Pets, camp fires, and all mechanized vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed in the wilderness area.

Skiing is allowed on the Loop Drive after it is closed to traffic in late November due to [[snow drift]]s. Typically there are 20&nbsp;inches (50&nbsp;cm) of snow by January and 25&nbsp;in (60&nbsp;cm) by February.<ref>[[#WRCC|WRCC 2007]]</ref> [[Cross-country skiing]] off of Loop Drive is allowed but may be dangerous due to sharp lava and hidden holes under the snow. [[Blizzard]]s and other inclement weather may occur.

==Nearby protected areas==
*[[Yellowstone National Park]] is world famous for its [[geyser]]s, [[mudpot]]s, [[Yellowstone Canyon]], [[waterfall]]s, and wildlife such as the [[American Bison]] and reintroduced [[wolf|wolves]].
*[[Grand Teton National Park]] includes the steep, [[glacier|glacially]]-carved [[Teton Range]], [[plate tectonics|tectonically]]-created [[Jackson Hole]] valley, and a string of [[moraine]]-impounded lakes.
*[[Nez Perce National Historical Park]] has 24 [[archeology|archaeological]] sites in north-central Idaho of the [[Nez Perce]] culture.<ref name="NPS1991p63">{{harvnb|NPS|1991|p=64}}</ref>
*[[Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument]] protects [[Pliocene]]-aged [[fossil]] sites along the [[Snake River]].
*[[City of Rocks National Reserve]] contains various [[monolith]]s, spires, and domes used by the Northern [[Shoshone]] and white emigrants on the [[California Trail]]. [[Rock climbing]] is a popular activity in the reserve.

==Notes==
<references group=note/>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==Bibliography==
{{NPS}}
*<!-- Cl -->{{cite book
| url = http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2001_cfr_3v1&docid=3CFR7373.pdf
| last = Clinton
| first = William Jefferson
| authorlink = Bill Clinton
| title = Boundary Enlargement of the Craters of the Moon National Monument
| id = Proclamation 7373
| date = November 9, 2000
| publisher = Office of the President of the United States
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| ref = CITEREFClinton2000
}}
*<!-- He --> {{cite book
| title = Craters of the Moon: Around the Loop
| first = Paul
| last = Henderson
| publisher = Craters of the Moon Natural History Association
| year = 1986
| ref = CITEREFHenderson1986}}
* <!-- Ki --> {{cite book
| title = Geology of U.S. Parklands
| edition = 5th ed.
| first = Eugene P.
| last = Kiver
| coauthors = Harris, David V.
| publisher = Jonh Wiley & Sons
| location = New York
| year = 1999
| isbn = 0-471-33218-6
| ref = CITEREFKiver1999}}
* <!-- Lo --> {{cite book
| last = Louter
| first = David
| title = Craters of the Moon: Administrative history
| publisher = [[National Park Service]], Pacific Northwest Region
| year = 1992
| location = Seattle, Washington
| pages =
| url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/crmo/adhit.htm
| oclc = 54665106
| accessdate = 2008-08-24
| ref=CITEREFLouter1992}}
* <!-- NPSH --> {{cite book
| author = NPS contributors
| title = Craters of the Moon: National Park Handbook (139)
| publisher = National Park Service Division of Publications
| location = Washington D.C.
| year = 1991
| isbn = 0-912627-44-1
| ref = CITEREFNPS1991}}
* <!-- NPSO --> <cite id=NPSwebsite>{{cite website
| author = NPS contributors
| title = Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, official website
| url = http://www.nps.gov/crmo/
| publisher = National Park Service
| pages = "[http://www.nps.gov/crmo/naturescience/animals.htm Animals]", "[http://www.nps.gov/crmo/planyourvisit/campground.htm Campground]", [http://www.nps.gov/crmo/historyculture/index.htm History & Culture]", "[http://www.nps.gov/crmo/parkmgmt/index.htm Management]", "[http://www.nps.gov/crmo/planyourvisit/trail-descriptions.htm Trail Descriptions]"
| accessdate = 2008-08-26}}</cite> (public domain text)
*<!-- Ow --><cite id=Owen2004>{{cite web
| url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/crmo/geology/geology.htm
| title = Geology of Craters of the Moon
| last = Owen
| first = Doug
| publisher = National Park Service
| date = 2004
| accessdate = 2008-09-14
}}</cite>
* <!-- USGS --><cite id=USGS>{{cite web
| url=http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/VolcanicPast/Places/volcanic_past_craters_moon.html
| publisher = United States Geological Survey
| title = America's Volcanic Past: Craters of the Moon National Monument
| author = USGS contributors
| accessdate = 2008-08-10
}}</cite>
* <!-- WRCC --><cite id=WRCC>{{cite web
| publisher = Western Regional Climate Center
| title = Craters of the Moon NM, Idaho (102260): Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary
| url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?id2260
| accessdate = 2008-09-14
| author = WRCC contributors
| year = 2007
}}</cite>

==External links==
{{Commons|Craters of the Moon National Monument|Craters of the Moon National Monument}}
*Official websites: [http://www.nps.gov/crmo/ NPS] and [http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/shoshone/special_areas/Craters.html BLM]
* [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2001_cfr_3v1&docid=3CFR7373.pdf Presidential Proclamation 7373 (William Jefferson Clinton) – Boundary Enlargement of the Craters of the Moon National Monument] (also used as a reference)
*[http://www.nps.gov/archive/crmo/hcs1.htm Craters of the Moon: Historic Context Statements], National Park Service
*[http://www.nps.gov/archive/crmo/geology/geology.htm Geology of Craters of the Moon], National Park Service (also used as a reference)

{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{featured article}}

[[Category:1924 establishments]]
[[Category:Butte County, Idaho]]
[[Category:Flood basalts]]
[[Category:National Monuments in Idaho]]
[[Category:National Preserves of the United States]]
[[Category:Rift volcanoes]]
[[Category:Rock formations in Idaho]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Idaho]]

[[de:Craters of the Moon National Monument]]
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[[pl:Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve]]
[[sv:Craters of the Moon nationalmonument]]

Revision as of 07:49, 12 October 2008

Stop adding this to articles. It's a non-existant category and it is an entirely inappropriate category for Wikipedia.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:33, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

Why do you think it's an inappropriate category? NJGW (talk) 06:35, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Because it is a subjective grouping instead of an objective one.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:35, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
What about "category:lists of things considered unusual" NJGW (talk) 06:37, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Still not good. Who considers it unusual? It is blatantly subjective and not NPOV. Do not bother categorizing lists or any article as "unusual."—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:38, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Are you advocating the deletion of all the lists containing the word "unusual"? I'm not being flippant... List of unusual deaths has been on my watchlist for a while, and recently I've been thinking that it violates OR (this has come up in the archives it turns out, but the article has survived several Afd's). I decided to look up all the other lists with the word unusual and see what common thread there was... thought I'd try to make a category for them while I was at it. Your thoughts. NJGW (talk) 06:42, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
No, I am not. I am saying that your categorization of all of these lists, just because they use the word "unusual" is inappropriate. For these items to be listed as "unusual" on these lists, someone scholastic must have decided as such. The articles are fine. The categorization is not.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:44, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
That's not actually true for all the articles. Do you advocate the deletion or renaming of articles which "someone scholastic" has not "decided as such"? NJGW (talk) 06:47, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

Let me get back to my initial statement and leave it at that: do not create Category:Unusual lists and do not add articles into it.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:50, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

I have stopped, but I'd still like your thoughts on this. The reason I was trying to make this category was that I was wondering if a standard of unusualness could (or should) be created. Please have a look at the discussion at List of unusual deaths. It seems that a standard for "unusual" has been discussed several times over the years, but never created (or discovered, which would be more in line with OR). This also seems to be an issue with the standards at List of unusual animal anecdotes, List of unusual personal names, List of socially unusual fictional planets, List of chemical compounds with unusual names, List of unusual units of measurement, List of cars with unusual door designs. NJGW (talk) 07:01, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

<-- Ryulong, very seriously, what policy forbids this? I'd like to see a clear policy statement or an ArbCom decision. This isn't something for one admin to decide. If there is a clear statement that forbids this, then of course it should stop, but until then, this seems like interference and an abuse of admin status. I'll assume good faith and therefore expect you to produce such evidence. -- Fyslee / talk 06:51, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, Fyslee, in the past I might have asked that question first, but these days admins seem on edge. NJGW (talk) 07:01, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Subjective categories have always been dismissed as far as I can remember.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 07:03, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
What is subjective about articles with the word unusual in them? NJGW (talk) 07:06, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
I am not going to discuss the articles. All I'm here to do was say that the categorization was inappropriate, and I am leaving it at that.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 07:09, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
That comment is misplaced... here I'm asking what's subjective about the fact that they all contain the word "unusual", and what category name will satisfy objectivity in your mind? NJGW (talk) 07:10, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
I'll concede that Category:Lists of things considered unusual would work.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 07:12, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Shall I resume then? NJGW (talk) 07:14, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Yes. It is much more objective.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 07:17, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

← Third opinion: rather self-referential, aren't they? :-/ Xavexgoem (talk) 07:04, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

That was my thought. NJGW (talk) 07:06, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
I think I was confused. I thought this was for a category of lists of unusual things... at any rate, I'm just saying that a reader is likely to determine that someone inside of WP decided something was weird. Dunno if that's really a breach of self-ref, but I agree it's too subjective. My urge to wikilawyer and cite WP:OR is huge. So huge that I do it in small fonts and pretend like I'm not :-P Xavexgoem (talk) 07:11, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
No, this was a category for lists containing the word unusual in their title. Is that really subjective? NJGW (talk) 07:13, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
Ah, well that'll teach me to actually read the entire dispute before commenting :-P It is an unusual category, though ;-) Xavexgoem (talk) 07:23, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
No worries, at least you weren't an angry mastodon about it. NJGW (talk) 07:49, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
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