THE 



National Geographic Magazine 



Vol. VIII FEBRUARY, 1S97 No. 2 



CRATER LAKE, OREGON* 



By J. S. DiLLER, 

 Untied States Geological Survey 



Of lakes in the United States there are many and in great va- 

 riety, but of crater lakes there is but one. Crater lakes are lakes 

 which occupy the craters of volcanoes or pits of volcanic origin. 

 They are most abundant in Italy and Central America, regions 

 in which volcanoes are still active ; and they occur also in France, 

 Germany, India, Hawaii, and other parts of the world where 

 volcanism has played an important role in its geological iiistorv. 



The one in the United States belongs to the great volcanic 

 field of the northwest, but it occurs in so secluded a spot among 

 high mountains that it is almost unknown to tourists and men 

 of science, who are especially interested in such natural wonders. 

 Crater lake of southern Oregon lies in the ver^'^ heart of the Cas- 

 cade range, and, while it is especially attractive to the geologist 

 on account of its remarkable geological history, it is equal!}'- in- 

 viting to the tourist and others in search of health and j)leasure 

 by communion with the beautiful and sublime in nature. 



According to W. G. Steel.t tiie lake was first seen by wliite 

 men in 1853. It had long previous!}^ been known to the In- 

 dians, whose legends, as related by Steel, + have contributed a 

 name, Llao rock, to one of the prominences of its rim. They 

 regarded the lake with awe as an abode of the Great Spirit. TJie 

 first travelers of note who visited the lake were Lord Maxwell 



♦ Published by permission of tlie Director of the U. S. Geological Survey, 

 t The Mountains of Oregon, by W. G. Steel, 18i)0, p. l.T J Ibid 



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