The Raton-Clayton field

The Raton-Clayton field is one of the best examples of a large volcanic field in the world. Volcanic fields differ from the more popular conception of volcanoes, like Hawaii or Mount St. Helens. Instead of one big volcano, volcanic fields are clusters of many small volcanoes (up to 2 miles across). Volcanic fields are usually 60 or more miles across, and contain tens to several hundred separate volcanoes. Each volcano consists mainly of cinders, spatters, and dark lava flows. The volcanoes do not all form at the same time. Instead, several thousand years may pass between the eruption and formation of each volcano. Volcanic fields represent many eruptions spaced out over a period of several million years. (December 2013)