A young geologic feature compared to other geology in Death Valley National Park, the Ubehebe Crater was created by a massive steam and rock explosion some two to seven thousand years ago.  Subterranean magma superheated the groundwater until the resulting steam explosion scattered debris over six square miles up to depths of 150 feet.  The Timbisha tribe of Native Americans named the crater Ubehebe, or "big basket in the rock."