You won’t find an active volcano in Arkansas, but you may be surprised about the location of the volcanic crater hiding in the Natural State. You know Arkansas has the only open-to-the-public diamond mine in the world, right? And that, in the past, a lucky teenager found a huge diamond there? Well, you’ll be interested to know that there’s something even more impressive about Crater of Diamonds State Park than the shiny gems you can find there. What you’re actually doing when you mine at Crater of Diamonds State Park is digging into the remains of an ancient Arkansas volcano.
Crater of Diamonds is really a volcanic pipe, and it’s part of a 95 million-year-old eroded volcano.
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
The gems lucky folks find at Crater of Diamonds were actually brought up to the surface by magma from the upper mantle.
Flickr/ZhaoScorpio
If your elementary school education is fading (like mine is), then maybe this will help you remember where the upper mantle is:
Wikimedia/Ewalde1
So when you’re digging for diamonds in the fields of Crater of Diamonds State Park . . .
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
. . . what you’re really doing is searching through a volcanic crater looking for ancient treasure that came from within the earth millions upon millions of years ago.
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
Now that you know you’re interacting with an ancient volcano, doesn’t Crater of Diamonds State Park seem even more exceptional?
Flickr/Erin
You’re right to think it’s extra special, because even for a diamond mine, it formed under unusual circumstances.
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
You see, almost all diamond mines are formed from kimberlite or alluvial deposits of diamonds weathered from kimberlite. The diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds are different.
Flickr/Erin
Arkansas diamonds are formed from lamproite.
Flickr/Maria J. Aleman Except for that diamond pictured above, of course, which is formed from human creativity out of wood and rocks.
No matter how much of the science you know, Crater of Diamonds State Park is a total delight, and it truly is a wonder of the world right here in the Natural State.
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
So, did you know that Crater of Diamonds State Park was actually the remnants of an ancient volcano in Arkansas? Ever done some digging inside the Arkansas volcano? If so, did you find any treasures? Tell us!
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
Flickr/ZhaoScorpio
Wikimedia/Ewalde1
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
Flickr/J. Michael Raby
Flickr/Erin
Flickr/Maria J. Aleman
Except for that diamond pictured above, of course, which is formed from human creativity out of wood and rocks.
This volcano in Arkansas is just one of the state’s many wonders. There are lots more, including these incredible natural wonders in Arkansas. Want to know which sites shouldn’t be missed? Check out our Arkansas bucket list and start planning your next in-state adventure.
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Address: Crater of Diamonds State Park, 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Volcano In Arkansas October 06, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo Does Arkansas have any natural wonders? This volcano in Arkansas isn’t the only natural wonder in the state. Arkansas is brimming with them, and the Buffalo National River is one of them. Established in 1972, the beautiful body of water takes the title of “America’s first National River.” Not just beautiful, the 135-mile river is unique, too, as it’s one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the contingent 48 states. The river – as well as the area surrounding the river – provides the perfect setting for a wealth of recreational activities, including paddling, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, waterfall hunting, and swimming. Hawksbill Crag is another of the state’s most popular natural wonders. Also known as Whitaker Point, the towering rock formation is touted as one of the state’s most photographed places, and after one visit, it’s plain to see why. Can I hike to historical sites in Arkansas? Crater of Diamonds State Park isn’t the only state site that’s brimming with history and recreational opportunities. There are actually quite a few spots in the state that are sure to delight history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike, and Prairie Grove State Park is one of them. Today, the park is touted as one of the most intact Civil War battlefields in the U.S. Fortunately, the grounds are easy to explore, thanks to a short 1.1-mile trail that meanders through the battlefield and past preserved buildings from the war. Louisiana Purchase State Park is another place you can enjoy both history and recreation. One of the park’s best features is its boardwalk trail, which leads to the point where land surveys for the Louisiana Purchase began.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Volcano In Arkansas
October 06, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
Does Arkansas have any natural wonders? This volcano in Arkansas isn’t the only natural wonder in the state. Arkansas is brimming with them, and the Buffalo National River is one of them. Established in 1972, the beautiful body of water takes the title of “America’s first National River.” Not just beautiful, the 135-mile river is unique, too, as it’s one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the contingent 48 states. The river – as well as the area surrounding the river – provides the perfect setting for a wealth of recreational activities, including paddling, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, waterfall hunting, and swimming. Hawksbill Crag is another of the state’s most popular natural wonders. Also known as Whitaker Point, the towering rock formation is touted as one of the state’s most photographed places, and after one visit, it’s plain to see why. Can I hike to historical sites in Arkansas? Crater of Diamonds State Park isn’t the only state site that’s brimming with history and recreational opportunities. There are actually quite a few spots in the state that are sure to delight history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike, and Prairie Grove State Park is one of them. Today, the park is touted as one of the most intact Civil War battlefields in the U.S. Fortunately, the grounds are easy to explore, thanks to a short 1.1-mile trail that meanders through the battlefield and past preserved buildings from the war. Louisiana Purchase State Park is another place you can enjoy both history and recreation. One of the park’s best features is its boardwalk trail, which leads to the point where land surveys for the Louisiana Purchase began.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
This volcano in Arkansas isn’t the only natural wonder in the state. Arkansas is brimming with them, and the Buffalo National River is one of them. Established in 1972, the beautiful body of water takes the title of “America’s first National River.” Not just beautiful, the 135-mile river is unique, too, as it’s one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the contingent 48 states. The river – as well as the area surrounding the river – provides the perfect setting for a wealth of recreational activities, including paddling, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, waterfall hunting, and swimming. Hawksbill Crag is another of the state’s most popular natural wonders. Also known as Whitaker Point, the towering rock formation is touted as one of the state’s most photographed places, and after one visit, it’s plain to see why.
Can I hike to historical sites in Arkansas?
Crater of Diamonds State Park isn’t the only state site that’s brimming with history and recreational opportunities. There are actually quite a few spots in the state that are sure to delight history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike, and Prairie Grove State Park is one of them. Today, the park is touted as one of the most intact Civil War battlefields in the U.S. Fortunately, the grounds are easy to explore, thanks to a short 1.1-mile trail that meanders through the battlefield and past preserved buildings from the war. Louisiana Purchase State Park is another place you can enjoy both history and recreation. One of the park’s best features is its boardwalk trail, which leads to the point where land surveys for the Louisiana Purchase began.
