Formation in Subway Cave, Lassen National Forest, California

A shape resembling a volcano is visible on the wall of Subway Cave, a lava tube formed 30,000 years ago in California's Hat Creek Valley. The tube itself was formed when the top portion of the lava flow cooled to a hard crust while allowing hot lava to flow underneath. Eventually, the lava flow stopped, leaving behind the shell. This formation resulted from hot lava dripping from the ceiling of the tube.

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A shape resembling a volcano is visible on the wall of Subway Cave, a lava tube formed 30,000 years ago in California's Hat Creek Valley. The tube itself was formed when the top portion of the lava flow cooled to a hard crust while allowing hot lava to flow underneath. Eventually, the lava flow stopped, leaving behind the shell. This formation resulted from hot lava dripping from the ceiling of the tube.