| Diamond Craters | |
| Map: | Oregon |
| Location: | Harney County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Coordinates: | 43.1°N -118.75°W |
| Elevation Ft: | 4707 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Range: | Basin and Range |
| Topo: | USGS Diamond Swamp |
| Type: | Volcanic field / shield volcano |
| Age: | 7320 to 7790 calendar years. B.P.[2] |
| Easiest Route: | roads and trails |
| Map Width: | 240 |
The Diamond Craters is a monogenetic volcanic field about 40miles southeast of Burns, Oregon. The field consists of a 270NaN0 area of basaltic lava flows, cinder cones, and maars. The reexamination of radiocarbon dates from older studies and interpretation of paleomagnetic data and new radiocarbon dates limits the eruption of volcanic vents in this volcanic field to the time period between 7320 and 7790 calendar years B.P.[2] [3]
Diamond Craters and the nearby Diamond post office were named after the Diamond Ranch, established in the area by the pioneer Mace McCoy. The ranch used a diamond-shaped brand, hence the name.[3] [4]
In the 1970s, Diamond Craters was a source of controversy between the Bureau of Land Management and commercial stonecutters who were illegally removing slabs of lava to sell as veneer for fireplaces, home exteriors, and chimneys.[5] Geologists familiar with the area cited the craters' unusual research value, a "museum of basaltic volcanic features" apt to be destroyed by slab harvesting and associated heavy equipment.[5] In 1982, the area gained additional protection when it was designated an Outstanding Natural Area.[4]
| Name | Elevation | Last eruption | ||
| Big Bomb Crater[6] | 1308m (4,291feet) | 43° 04' 34.64" N, 118° 44' 59.13" W | - | |
| Central Crater Complex | 1378m (4,521feet) | 43° 05' 38.48" N, 118° 47' 08.53" W | - | |
| Cloverleaf Crater | - | 43° 05' 21.54" N, 118° 43' 58.84" W | - | |
| Dry Maar | 1268m (4,160feet) | 43° 06' 11.92" N, 118° 49' 04.55" W | - | |
| East Twin Crater | 1326m (4,350feet) | 43° 05' 52.83" N, 118° 48' 19.46" W | - | |
| Keyhole Explosion Crater | - | 43° 05' 07.30" N, 118° 45' 30.12" W | - | |
| Lava Pit Crater | 1305m (4,281feet) | 43° 04' 32.66" N, 118° 45' 24.06" W | - | |
| Little Red Cone | - | 43° 06' 11.57" N, 118° 44' 44.17" W | - | |
| Malheur Maar | 1286m (4,219feet) | 43° 06' 14.68" N, 118° 48' 59.54" W | - | |
| Nolf Crater[7] | - | 43° 06' 26.54" N, 118° 48' 15.60" W | - | |
| Oval Crater | - | 43° 04' 56.85" N, 118° 45' 56.88" W | - | |
| Red Bomb Crater | 1323m (4,341feet) | 43° 04' 39.94" N, 118° 46' 08.23" W | - | |
| West Twin Crater | 1326m (4,350feet) | 43° 05' 56.52" N, 118° 48' 31.70" W | - |