Ubehebe Craters consist of several recently formed volcanic craters. The smallest, and earliest-formed are shown in the first photo; the largest and youngest one (Ubehebe Crater), is shown below. They formed when rising basaltic magma intersected groundwater and flashed it to steam. Black cinders and ash, in places reaching 50 meters in thickness, cover the area around the craters.

Ubehebe Crater, the largest of the Ubehebe Craters. This crater is about 500 feet deep. Crater walls consist of colorful alluvial deposits overlain by cinders. Their coloration is probably a result of percolating hot groundwater prior to the eruptions.