The eastern shore of the Salton Sea is an active geothermal area due to its proximity to the San Andreas fault. A number of power plants dot the area to harness the natural energy, and nearby can be found active volcanic vents and mudpots.
The mudpots are the tan colored cluster of cones and mounds on the right, and behind it to the left is an associated geothermal power plant.
Hot gas streams out of this dry vent, making an eerie hissing sound.
The mounds are formed by the gradual accumulation of hot mud expelled from the vents. These are estimated to be 16,000 years old (USGS).
Another dry yet still active vent.
There were also a couple of bubbling mud cauldrons, but due to the extreme heat and drought of the summer these were few and far between.
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