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Sunset Crater

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Sunset Crater
Map

Sunset Crater is a cinder cone located north of Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States. The crater lies within the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Sunset Crater is the youngest in a string of volcanoes (the San Francisco volcanic field) that is related to the nearby San Francisco Peaks.[1] It first erupted in 1064, and the last major eruption occurred in 1100, raising the volcano's height to about 300 metres (980 ft)*. A final burst of activity in the 13th century painted the upper portion of the otherwise black cone with bright red and orange rocks, giving the volcano its name. The volcano has partially revegetated, with pines and wildflowers. The crater has given its name to the Sunset Crater Beardtongue (Penstemon clutei).

Collapsed Lava Tube

Damage from hikers forced the National Park Service to close a trail leading to the crater, but a short trail at the base remains.[2]

The hiking trail below the summit skirts the substantial Bonita Lava Flow. This hardened lava is black and appears fresh as it has devastated the forest in its path. The lava flow also created an ice cave or tube that is now closed to the public after a partial collapse.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Map
LocationArizona, USA
Nearest cityFlagstaff, AZ
Area3,040 acres (12.3 km2)
EstablishedMay 26, 1930
Visitors200,000 (est) (in 2004)
Governing bodyNational Park Service

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a U.S. National Monument in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, intended to protect Sunset Crater, a cinder cone that is part of the San Francisco Volcanic Field.[3] It is maintained by the National Park Service in close conjunction with nearby Wupatki National Monument. In the late 1920s, a Hollywood film company attempted to detonate large quantities of explosives inside Sunset Crater in order to simulate a volcanic eruption. Public outcry over this plan led in part to the proclamation of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument by President Herbert Hoover in 1930.

A one mile (1.6 km) self-guiding loop trail is located at the base of Sunset Crater but hiking to the summit is not permitted. A trail providing access to the summit and crater was closed in 1974 because of excessive erosion caused by hikers. A visitor center is located near the park entrance, 12 miles (19 km) north of Flagstaff, Arizona along U.S. Highway 89.

References

  1. ^ Priest, Susan S. (2001-12-21). "The San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona - U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 017-01". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-08-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Lava Flow Trail". Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. National Park Service. 2006-09-14. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  3. ^ "Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument". National Park Service. 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
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