2021 Map of Crater Flat

About this map

Crater Flat dominates the central landscape of this Nye County desert expanse, revealing a volcanic field defined by prominent basaltic cinder cones. These geologic landmarks, including the isolated Black Cone and its neighbor Red Cone, rise from the alluvial floor of the Mojave Desert. The topography is sharply bounded to the east by the rising slopes of Yucca Mountain and the distinctive profile of Hooked Ridge. Drainage patterns are clearly etched into the terrain, where ephemeral watercourses like Windy Wash and Crater Flat Wash carry seasonal runoff across the basin toward the south. Near the southern boundary, the presence of the Little Cones and Black Marble further illustrates the complex mineral and volcanic composition of this arid region. The map provides a detailed view of the section lines and township boundaries that grid this portion of southern Nevada, illustrating the intersection of modern cartography with the primordial geological features of the Great Basin.