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Crater Lake, Oregon in summer I. A view from the West Rim, taken near the Lightning Springs Picnic Area. The island’s name is Wizard Island.
Formed 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak, scientists today marvel at the lake’s purity: fed by rain and snow. It is the deepest lake in the US and one of the most pristine on earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.