Earthquake Fault Mammoth Lakes: What to See & How to Visit

April 10, 2026

The split-apart rock of the Mammoth Lakes Earthquake Fault testifies to the Earth’s mighty forces, and serves as a record of a dramatic period of geologic unrest.

Positioned deep in the forest on rolling foothills flanking the base of Mammoth Mountain, this incredible fissure cuts through hard volcanic rock for several hundred feet and reaches a depth of up to 60 feet.

What to See at the Earthquake Fault

Highlights of the Earthquake Fault include:

The volcanic fissure and rock walls
Interpretive trail and signage
Forest scenery and viewpoints
Nearby hiking trails

The Earthquake Fault

Located only minutes from downtown, this rare natural phenomenon can easily be explored by sightseers and visitors of all ages.

The fracture is believed to have formed around 600 years ago during one of the recent Inyo/Mono Craters eruptions and likely has little to do with a single earthquake event. While called a fault, this massive linear fissure in the Earth’s surface is more accurately defined as a fracture, as no movement between the sides is recorded.

It’s little wonder that this dramatic landform exists on the outskirts of town, as the entire region is a geologically active wonderland of fumaroles and earthquakes. From the massive Long Valley Caldera to the bubbling geothermal springs of Hot Creek Gorge, a wide variety of the Earth’s powerful forces are on display in Mammoth Lakes.

The Earthquake Fault interpretive area is located on public lands administered by the Inyo National Forest. At the parking area, visitors will find restrooms, picnic tables, and the beginning of the self-guided interpretive trail.

The short, family-friendly 0.2-mile hiking trail descends deep into the rocky fissure and winds through majestic stands of old-growth red fir, Jeffrey pine, and lodgepole pine. Along the way, several interpretive signs provide information about the natural history, ecology, and preservation of the area.

The easily accessible interpretive area has recently undergone a rehabilitation by the U.S. Forest Service, and there is no charge for visitors.

The Geology Behind the Fault

Despite its name, the Earthquake Fault has very little to do with a single earthquake. What visitors are walking along is a ground fracture formed when volcanic activity from the nearby Inyo Craters caused the earth's surface to pull apart roughly 600 years ago. As pressurized steam and magmatic gases drove explosive eruptions to the north, the ground along this stretch subsided and cracked, leaving the linear fissure visible today. No movement between the two sides has ever been recorded, which is what distinguishes it from a true tectonic fault.

The fissure cuts through a rhyolite lava flow from Mammoth Mountain, a hard, brittle volcanic rock that preserved the opening rather than eroding it closed over time. That same volcanic rock is part of the Long Valley Caldera system, the supervolcano that erupted 750,000 years ago and continues to shape the geothermal and volcanic landscape of the entire region today.

Standing inside the fissure, the scale of the event becomes tangible: walls of volcanic rock rising up to 60 feet above the floor on either side, with old-growth conifers now rooted in the crack itself, their roots threading down through volcanic stone.

How to Visit the Earthquake Fault

The Earthquake Fault interpretive area is open year-round, though access may vary depending on snow conditions in winter. The short hiking trail is suitable for most visitors and offers an easy way to explore this unique geologic feature.

In winter, the parking area is not maintained, and access may require snowshoes or cross-country skis

Getting to the Earthquake Fault

Getting to the Earthquake Fault is easy and only requires a short drive from downtown Mammoth Lakes. To reach this scenic fissure, travel west on State Route 203 heading toward Mammoth Mountain’s main lodge.

Drive 1.5 miles beyond The Village to the well-marked turnoff to the paved parking area on the right-hand side.

More to Explore Nearby

The Earthquake Fault sits in the middle of one of the most geologically active corridors in the Eastern Sierra. Several other volcanic features are within minutes of the parking area.

Inyo Craters

The same volcanic eruptions that formed the Earthquake Fault also created the Inyo Craters a few miles north. Steam explosions left three deep volcanic depressions in the forest, now holding turquoise mineral lakes. The Inyo Craters Trail reaches the crater rim in under a mile from the parking area.

Mammoth Mountain

The volcanic dome visible above town is part of the same geologic system. The Mountain View Trail connects the Earthquake Fault area directly to Minaret Vista on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain, making a natural half-day geology and hiking loop from a single trailhead.

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Visit Mammoth

Unreal. There is no better way to describe Mammoth Lakes, California. A place so majestic that breathtaking views surround you in every direction. The staff at Mammoth Lakes Tourism is committed to stewardship, education, providing the ultimate visitor experience, and keeping the Real Unreal.