Malapai Hill

Malapai Hill
Oblique aerial view of Malapai Hill, looking east
Highest point
Elevation 4,278 feet (1,304 m)[1]  NGVD 29[2]
Prominence 360 ft (110 m) [2]
Coordinates 33°56′23″N 116°05′16″W / 33.9397315°N 116.0877801°W / 33.9397315; -116.0877801Coordinates: 33°56′23″N 116°05′16″W / 33.9397315°N 116.0877801°W / 33.9397315; -116.0877801 [1]
Geography
Malapai Hill
California
Location Riverside County, California,
United States
Topo map USGS Malapai Hill
Geology
Mountain type Volcanic plug

Malapai Hill is a small mountain in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California, which may have been part of an ancient volcano. It formed during a period of intrusive activity and either rose above the surface or eventually was exposed by erosion. Its name is a derivative of the Spanish word, malpaís.

Geography and geology

The peak rises in Joshua Tree National Park, west of the Hexie Mountains, north of the San Bernardino Mountains and near Queen Valley.[3] Malapai Hill is the product of the intrusion of magma into White Tank monzogranite, that cooled as basalt. The exact origin of the landform is not known: it might have been part of an older volcanic complex, or it might have never penetrated the surface but cooled underground and then became exposed as the somewhat softer granite around it was eroded over time. According to Argon dating techniques, the basalt of Malapai Hill is 15.93 ± 0.08 million years old.[4][5]

There are two summits, with the true summit rising on the north.[3] The volcanic features include piles of monzogranite and basalt talus on the mountain's steep slopes.[3]

The hill is composed of aphanitic alkaline olivine basalt, with phenocrysts of olivine. Xenoliths of lherzolite are abundant and more rarely of White Tank monzogranite. The lherzolite nodules are interpreted as representing depleted mantle from the area of partial melting that produced the magma.[6]

On February 26, 2015, a magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck underneath Malapai Hill.[7]

Etymology

Malapai is an Americanization of the Spanish word, malpaís, which can be translated as bad terrain.[8] The term malpaís is widely used to refer to badlands characterized by eroded rocks of volcanic origin. The cactus and xeric scrub plant community surrounding the mountain is characteristic of the stark and dry desert here.[3]

Recreation

While there are not maintained trails in the area, the peak, which is in Joshua Tree Wilderness, is listed by the Angles Chapter of the Sierra Club as a recommended outing.[9] Magnetite formations near the summit are known to disrupt magnetic compasses.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Malapai Hill". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. 1 2 "Malapai Hill, California". Peakbagger.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Harris, David Money; Jennifer Money Harris (2009). Afoot & Afield Inland Empire: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide. Wilderness Press. p. 344. ISBN 0-89997-462-7.
  4. ↑ Kaiser, James (2006). Joshua Tree: The Complete Guide: Joshua Tree National Park. self-published. p. 114.
  5. ↑ James Muller; Jade Star Lackey; Brian R. Jicha; Richard R. Hazlett; Ilya N. Binderman (19 May 2014). "AGE AND ORIGIN OF THE MALAPAI HILL BASALT, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA". The Geological Society of America. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Stull, R.J.; McMillan K. (1 July 1973). "Origin of Lherzolite Inclusions in the Malapai Hill Basalt, Joshua Tree National Monument, California". Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. 84 (7): 2343–2350. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<2343:OOLIIT>2.0.CO;2.
  7. ↑ 2/26/2015 — Southern California DORMANT VOLCANO shows movement — keep watch on area
  8. ↑ Gudde, Erwin Gustav (1950). California Place Names. University of California Press. p. 222.
  9. ↑ "The Great Lower Peaks List as of 2008". Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.
  • "Geology Tour route" (map). National Park Service.
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