Blackfoot in Bingham County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Big Butte
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 11, 2017
1. Big Butte Marker
Towering 2500 feet high, two over lapping rock domes form a 300,000 year-old butte that dominates this lava plain.
After a hot flow of molten rhyolite (acidic rock) boiled up through older lava, a second rhyolite dome pushed up a block of earlier basalt on its northwest side. They took many thousands of years to reach their present shape, but geologically they are very recent structures.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society & Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 436.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list.
Location. 43° 31.694′ N, 112° 42.84′ W. Marker is in Blackfoot, Idaho, in Bingham County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Twin Buttes Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blackfoot ID 83221, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone Fringe. It is also in the American Mountain
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Three Buttes (a few steps from this marker).
Also see . . . Big Southern Butte on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 29, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 11, 2017
2. Three Buttes and Big Butte Markers
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 11, 2017
3. View from Big Butte Marker
On the left is Middle Butte, about 4 miles south-southwest of the marker. On the horizon at the right is Big Southern Butte, about 30 miles southwest of the marker. The few roads between the marker and Big Southern Butte are unpaved.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,145 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
