Our Drive Through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Here's the sign for Sunset

Crater Volcano National

This area had active volcanoes around 1,000 AD.  The earth's crust to the north (Colorado)  has a very thick and the earth's crust to the south and west (Arizona) has a very thin. Where the earth's crust transitions, heat from the mantle rises and melting occurs.  The resulting lava fields, cinder fields and volcanic crater tell the story of violent change.

Part of the Bonito

Lava Flow 

A cyclist enjoying a ride

on a cool day.

The view from the 

Cinder Hills Overlook

shows fissure where 

most recent volcanic

activity occurred. 

The Sunset Crater is
 obscured by snow.

We stop for lunch. 

Eric turns onto an

unpaved road.

We drive past acres of

black cinder. 

Someone's living way
out here.

We return to pavement.

What's next?