How Old is this Lava?
On a 1924 expedition Robert Limbert guessed its age at
150, based on appearance alone.
A core from this wind-buffeted limber pine gave the
first scientifically-based estimate in 1954. The tree's annual
growth rings proved the lava must be at least 1350 years old.
But how long after the lava cooled did the tree take root?
This was the unknown factor.
More recent measurements by radioactive carbon and
paleomagnetic dating methods indicate that the flow
erupted from North Crater about 2000 years ago
- much earlier than initially guessed.
