Crater Lake's underwater cinder cone: Merriam Cone

Merriam Cone

Illustration of Merriam Cone shown on a Rim Village interpretive panel

Merriam Cone is a sister cone of Wizard Island. While the island cone, named for its resemblance with a sorcerer's hat, rises about 800 feet (244 meter) above the average surface of Crater Lake, Merriam Cone is an underwater cinder cone. With the deepest point at 1,943 ft (592 m) below the water surface (see illustration), Merriam Cone rises over 1,400 feet (430 m) above the caldera floor—about 500 ft (153 m) short of peaking through the water surface. Its summit is rounded and does not have a crater. This is an indication that the volcanic cone formed under water, in contrast to Wizard Island with the “Witches Cauldron” crater at its top. Merriam Cone is located in the northeast part of Crater Lake south of Punice Point and Cleetwood Cove; the latter being accessible via Cleetwood Cove Trail. From the cove's dock, tour boats take visitors to Wizard Island, traveling over hidden-from-view Merriam Cone on their way.
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Around Crater Lake
▶ USGS: Merriam Cone
▶ Cinder Cones in Crater Lake National Park
▶ Sorcerer's Hat: Wizard Island
▶ Sinnott Memorial Overlook
▶ Crater Lake Rim Village: strolls and trails
▶ Rim Village Visitor Center and Book Store
▶ Crater Lake Lodge
▶ Cleetwood Cove Trail
▶ Thick lava flow of the past: Llao Rock