Mount Tehama

The area near Lassen Peak became a haven for new settlers throughout the 1800s. Wagon trains followed winding trails on the Nobles Emigrant Trail which cut through the Lassen Peak vicinity near Sacramento Valley. One of the main landmarks along this trail was a volcano. Called Lassen Peak after Peter Lassen, a prominent blacksmith and guide who escorted California settlers, the volcano and the area around it were given merit for their gripping volcanic phenomena, which included lava beds and extinct volcanic cones. In May 1907, Lassen Peak was declared a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect the area for "future generations to study and enjoy".[4] Roosevelt had been told that the area was actually extinct in terms of eruptive activity. Despite assurance from Native Americans in the area that the mountain was indeed active, settlers continued to think that Lassen Peak was extinct and "dead" and so continued to settle nearby. The natives continued to declare that "one day the mountain would blow itself to pieces".[4] In May 1914, almost exactly seven years later, the volcano began a large explosive eruption sequence. More than a hundred eruptions of varying size took place over the next seven years, attracting national interest and the designation of national park in 1916.[4]

The state of California is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of highly active tectonic activity that includes seismicity and volcanism. Brokeoff and the other volcanoes near Lassen Peak were produced by subduction of the oceanic Juan de Fuca Plate under the North American Plate.[5]

Extent of Brokeoff Volcano shown by outline

Brokeoff Volcano represents the Pleistocene component of the Lassen volcanic complex, an area of active volcanism for more than three million years. It formed during a period of eruptive activity approximately 600,000 years ago on a series of faults;[6] the largest of these eruptions was about 50 times as powerful as the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. During the Pleistocene, constantly renewed lava of andesite flowed from the central vent of the volcano. The eruption of overlapping andesitic lava flows accumulated to build the volcano. By the time it reached its peak size, the volcano was immense, measuring at its base between 11 mi (18 km) and 15 mi (24 km) wide and more than 11,000 ft (3,353 m) tall.[7] Activity at Brokeoff lasted for approximately 200,000 years. Eruptions varied from ejection of pyroclastic material to andesitic lava flows built primarily of feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine.[6]

Soon after the formation of Brokeoff, other, smaller volcanoes began to form. Shield volcanoes like Raker Peak, Red Mountain, Prospect Peak, and Mount Harkness appeared. At this point, the Pleistocene was coming to an end. One additional and final vent formed on the northeastern flank of the volcano, erupting glassy dacitic flows.[7] Over time, the volcano became dilapidated from extensive erosion and hydrothermal alteration,[6] and was eroded by creeks and glaciers. Later activity built more than thirty other cones known as the Lassen Domes. Today the most active volcano in the area is Lassen Peak. Other smaller craters younger than 50,000 years are also active.[8]

Brokeoff's remains are exposed to the southwest Mount Lassen in Shasta County, California. Sulphur Works, an area known for its sharp, putrid scent, is thought to be the center of the ancient volcano. The central vent of Brokeoff Volcano was located near modern Diamond Peak.

Brokeoff Mountain in winter.

After volcanism at Brokeoff ended, magmatism became more silicic and began migrating toward Lassen Peak's northern flank. The last 400,000 years have seen at least three known flows, parts of which are still on Raker Peak and Mount Conard. A subsequent explosive eruption ejected 12 cu mi (50 km³) of material and created a large crater, which was soon covered by lava. Twelve lava domes were built throughout the area and the next period of eruptive activity began. Spanning 50,000 years it ejected 3.5 cu mi (15 km³) to 6 cu mi (25 km³) of material and was followed by a third period. At least twelve periods of activity have taken place since Brokeoff formed, consisting of activity including pyroclastic flows, pasty lavas, and additional lava domes.[6] Among the vents built by this activity is Lassen Peak.[9]

Near the trailhead at lower elevations, alder thickets are present, as well as incense cedar, red firs, and western white pine. At higher elevations, groups of mountain hemlock and lupines prevail.[3] Eagles and hawks can be frequently noted on high crags, and squirrels and pika live about the mountain.[10]

Hiking is especially popular on the mountain during summer. The mountain trail lasts between four and six hours, spans 7.4 mi (12 km), and offers "exceptional" views of Mount Diller, Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, and Mount Conard.[3]

Due to the characteristically intermittent eruptions of active volcanoes such as Lassen Peak, there is some threat from the volcanoes of the LVNP. Dacitic explosive eruptions have taken place within the last 50,000 years at Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, and Sunflower Flat, and effusive eruptions of basalt have occurred at Tumble Buttes, Hat Mountain, and Prospect Peak. Pyroclastic flows and lahars could easily occur near glaciated areas and in river valleys like Hat Creek Valley.[8] In addition to the volcanic hazards that could possibly occur, one volcano did erupt in the 20th century in LVNP: (Lassen Peak). Lassen's eruptions (1914–21, though most activity occurred between 1914 and 1917) were very small compared to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

• List of highest points in California by county

• Clynne, Mike; Muffler, Patrick (2010). Geologic Map of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Vicinity, California. Reston, Virginia: United States Geological Survey.
• Harris, Ann G.; Tuttle, Esther; Tuttle, Sherwood D. (2004). Geology of National Parks (6th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-7872-9970-5.
• Harris, Stephen L. (2005). Fire Mountains of the West: The Cascade and Mono Lake Volcanoes (3rd ed.). Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 454 pp. ISBN 0-87842-511-X.
• Heid, Matt (2008). 101 Hikes in Northern California: Exploring Mountains, Valley, and Seashore. Wilderness Press. ISBN 978-0-89997-474-3.
• Lopes, Rosaly M. C.; Lopes, Rosaly (2005). The Volcano Adventure Guide. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-55453-4.
• Sinnotte, Barbara (1996). California: A Guide to the State & National. Hunter Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781556507335.
• Wood, Charles A.; Jürgen Kienle, eds. (1990). Volcanoes of North America. Cambridge University Press. p. 354 pp. ISBN 0-521-43811-X.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mount Tehama.

• Brokeoff Mountain on SummitPost
• Brokeoff Mountain on Peakbagger.com