Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is a land of volcanoes and includes a unique volcanic feature known as the lava tube. Natural conduits are formed when lava travels beneath the surface creating a system of caverns. When the flow stops, long cave-like channels remain. A lava flow field usually consists of a main tube as well as a series of smaller tubes. The end result is a series of caves made entirely of lava rock.

The designers of Russia’s Grizzly Coast used this geological anomaly as the backdrop and structure for the main bear viewing area. Guests enter a large lava tube where they experience a floor-to-ceiling view into the grizzly bear exhibit. There are also smaller crawl spaces as well as views into a bear den and salmon pool. The goal is to create the look and feel of a real lava tube.

Like other rockwork throughout the exhibit, it starts with iron, cement, and other core building materials—in this case a large cement tunnel was built on the north side of the Education Event Center.

Layers of rebar, lath, and cement are affixed to the building to create the foundation and curved silhouette of the lava tube.

Gradually, it begins to look like a lava tube.

The finishing touches involve detail work done by hand. Artists chip, chisel, and spackle to create the rough texture of lava rock. Then it is painted to give the rock character and the illusion of years of erosion from lava flows.

The final product looks as real as the lava caves found on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Below are progress photos of some of the key aspects of the Lava Tube.

A smaller tube provides a fun crawl space for children to explore.

A port-hole provides a view between the crawl space and the main viewing area.

There is a small view into a bear den.

But one of the most striking features of the lava tube is the floor-to-ceiling view of the grizzly bear exhibit.