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Sunset Crater National Monument Information:
 This volcanic cinder cone with summit crater was formed just before 1100 AD. Its upper portion is colored as if by a sunset. Sunset Crater appeared when molten rock was ejected into the air from a small crack in the Earth's crust. When this material fell to the ground, it was already solid and came down as large bombs and smaller cinders. This volcanic activity continued over 200 years building and re-shaping the cone and eventually creating a 1,000-foot cinder cone volcano around the vent. An 800 square mile radius was dusted with ash from this volcano. Lava flowed from the fissure both in 1064 and again in 1180. Over time new gas vents opened up forming spatter cones around the main cinder cone. In a final burst of activity, around 1250, lava containing iron and sulfur shot out of the vent. This lava then oxidized red and yellow, these colors painting the crater with a permanent "sunset" so bright that it appears still to glow from intense inner heat.
 The Monument is reached by a side road off US 89 16 miles north of Flagstaff; this road also passes through the Wupatki National Monument before rejoining US 89 15 miles further north. Payment is $5 for private cars, made at the visitor center near the entrance - the fee gives access to both Monuments. There are interesting exhibits about volcanism, and a seismograph which continually monitors earthquake activity around the world. The road at this point passes pine woodland with flower-filled meadows and distant volcanic hills.
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