El Malpais National Monument ... In the Land of Frozen Fires - 3.

El Calderon - red cinders on the edge of El Calderon - photo American southwest.

Further north in El Malpais N.M., and more easily accessible than the other sites although a 4x4 vehicle is recommended, an area is home to two lava tubes, various other tunnels collapses, trench of lava and crater El Calderon from which most of the surrounding  lava flows emanate.
 

The crater of the cinder cone El Calderon - photo American southwest.

The crater of El Calderon cinder cone sees his center invaded by tall pines, of size larger than those of the same species growing on the banks, because of the wind protection and improved water availability.

The trees have their tops curiously at the same level, whether on the floor, along the slopes or on the edges.

Lava Trench - Trench V-shaped radiating from El Calderon - photo American southwest.

Lava Trench - details of the walls - photo American southwest.

Lava Trench is a V-shaped trench, filled with large blocks formed by the rapid movement of the lava. The walls are made ​​of thin layers from different lava flows from the crater El Calderon.

One of the Double Sinks - photo American southwest.

Bat Cave is a small lava tube that houses at least four species of bat. So entry is prohibited throughout the year, for obvious reasons of protection.

Double Sinks, two sinkholes formed by the collapse of a lava tube, with near-vertical walls that prevent a possible descent.

Junction Cave form a lava tube of 400 meters long, with a branch; the floor is made of broken rocks, giving way to a muddy ground near the end where the ceiling falls.
 

Access map to El Calderon area - American southwest

Sources :

- American Southwest - El Calderon, El Malpais National Monument

- Global Volvanism Program - Malpais.