1983 Map of Crack-in-the-Ground

About this map

The volcanic landscape of Central Oregon dominates this survey, centered on the Four Craters Lava Field and the remarkable geologic rift known as Crack in the Ground. The transition from the igneous formations of the north into the wide expanses of Fort Rock Valley and Christmas Lake Valley defines the local topography. This 1980s data reflects a desert environment where water management is the primary marker of human activity, evidenced by a network of isolated wells such as Sprague Well and the named locality at Bowman Wells. While a Picnic Area near the main fissure suggests recreational use, much of the terrain remains accessible only via scattered 4wd tracks that navigate around Reed Rock and across the Alkali Flat. The map effectively captures the stark divide between the ancient lava flows and the basin-and-range valley floors.