Lavic Lake Area
Lavic Lake is a dry lake in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California. It sits south of Interstate 40, near the Lavic Volcanic Field, an area of basaltic lava flows and cinder cones that erupted within the last few hundred thousand years. The lakebed itself is part of an ancient drainage system, but today, it only holds water temporarily after heavy rains.
The Lavic Lake area is geologically interesting because of its connection to volcanic activity and its location near the San Andreas Fault system. The lava flows nearby are some of the youngest in the Mojave, with some estimates suggesting they could be as recent as 10,000 to 15,000 years old. The lava field is mostly composed of basalt, with rough, jagged formations that contrast with the flat, light-colored lakebed.
Lavic Lake is also near the historic route of the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, which once transported borax and other minerals through the desert. The area remains remote, attracting off-roaders, rockhounds, and those interested in desert geology.