View source for Sunset Crater

{{Short description|Cinder cone in Coconino County, Arizona, US}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Sunset Crater
| photo = Sunsetcrater13.JPG
| photo_caption = Sunset Crater from the Cinder Hills
| elevation_ft = 8042
| elevation_ref = {{NAVD88}}<ref name="ngs">{{cite ngs |id=FQ0610 |name=Sunset Crater |access-date=December 23, 2008}}</ref>
| prominence_ft = 999
| prominence_ref = <ref name="pb">{{cite peakbagger |pid=3942 |name=Sunset Crater, Arizona |access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref>
| location = [[Coconino County, Arizona|Coconino County]], [[Arizona|Arizona, U.S.]]
| image_map = {{maplink-road|from=Sunset Crater National Monument.map|zoom=9}}
| map_caption = none
| map_size = 180
| coordinates = {{coord|35|21|52|N|111|30|13|W|type:mountain_region:US-AZ|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates = 
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="ngs"/>
| topo = [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] Sunset Crater East
| type = [[Cinder cone]]<ref name="GVP">{{cite gvp |vn=329020 |name=San Francisco Volcanic Field |access-date=December 23, 2008}}</ref>
| age = ~950 years
| volcanic_field = [[San Francisco volcanic field]]
| last_eruption = 1075 ± 25 years<ref name="GVP"/>
| easiest_route = Hike
| embedded = {{Infobox protected area
| child = yes
| alt_name = '''Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument'''
| iucn_category = III
| area_acre = 3138
| area_ref = <ref name="area">{{NPS area|year=2022}}</ref>
| established = May 26, 1930
| visitation_num = 104,583
| visitation_year = 2018
| visitation_ref = <ref name="visits">{{NPS visitation|accessdate=2019-06-15}}</ref>
| governing_body = National Park Service
| website = [https://www.nps.gov/sucr/ Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument]
}}
}}
<!-- Note: site is listed in IUCN database, and appears to conform with Category III -->

'''Sunset Crater''' is a [[cinder cone]] located north of [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Arizona]]. The crater is 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]].<ref name="fs017_01">
  {{cite web
 |last        = Priest
 |first       = Susan S.
 |author2     = Wendell A. Duffield
 |author3     = Karen Malis-Clark
 |author4     = James W. Hendley II
 |author5     = Peter H. Stauffer
 |title       = The San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona – U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 017-01
 |publisher   = [[United States Geological Survey]]
 |date        = December 21, 2001
 |url         = https://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs017-01/
 |access-date  = August 12, 2008
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080421135313/http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs017-01/
 |archive-date = April 21, 2008
}}</ref>

== Formation ==
The date of the eruptions that formed the {{convert|340|m|ft|sp=us|adj=mid|-high cone}} was initially derived from [[dendrochronology|tree-ring dates]], suggesting the eruption began between the growing seasons of AD 1064–1065.<ref name=pilles1979>{{cite book|last=Pilles|first=Peter J. Jr.|year=1979|chapter=Sunset Crater and the Sinagua: A New Interpretation|title=Volcanic Activity and Human Ecology|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/volcanicactivity0000shee|chapter-url-access=registration|editor1-first=Payson D.|editor1-last=Sheets|editor2-first=Donald K.|editor2-last=Grayson|pages=[https://archive.org/details/volcanicactivity0000shee/page/459 459–485]|publisher=Academic Press|location=New York|isbn=9780126391206}}</ref> However, more recent geologic and archaeological evidence places the eruption around AD 1085.<ref name="Elson et al.">{{cite conference|last1=Elson|first1=Mark D.|first2=Michael H.|last2=Ort|first3=Paul R.|last3=Sheppard|first4=Terry L.|last4=Samples|first5=Kirk C.|last5=Anderson|first6=Elizabeth M.|last6=May|year=2011|title=A.D. 1064 No More? A Multidisciplinary Re-evaluation of the Date of the Eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano, Northern Arizona|conference=76th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology|location=Sacramento, California|url=http://store.wnpa.org/research/wupa05-14.pdf|access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304133710/http://store.wnpa.org/research/wupa05-14.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The largest vent of the eruption, Sunset Crater itself, was the source of the Bonito and Kana-a lava flows that extended about {{convert|2.5|km|mi|sp=us}} northwest and {{convert|9.6|km|mi|0|sp=us}} northeast, respectively.  Additional vents along a {{convert|10|km|mi|sp=us|adj=mid|-long fissure}} extending southeast produced small [[spatter rampart]]s and a {{convert|6.4|km|mi|sigfig=1|sp=us|adj=mid|-long lava flow}} to the east. The Sunset Crater eruption peaked at [[Volcanic explosivity index|VEI]] 4 (Sub-[[Plinian eruption|Plinian]]), produced a total of 0.52 km<sup>3</sup> of ejecta,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Allison |first1=Chelsea M. |last2=Roggensack |first2=Kurt |last3=Clarke |first3=Amanda B. |title=Highly explosive basaltic eruptions driven by CO2 exsolution |journal=Nature Communications |date=11 January 2021 |volume=12 |issue=1 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-20354-2 |pmc=7801484 }}</ref> had an [[eruption column]] between 20-30km tall<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.asu.edu/20210111-understanding-origins-arizonas-sunset-crater-eruption-1000-years-ago | title=Understanding origins of Arizona's Sunset Crater eruption from 1,000 years ago &#124; ASU News }}</ref> and produced a blanket of ash and [[lapilli]] covering an area of more than {{convert|2100|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}, which forced the temporary abandonment of settlements of the local [[Sinagua]] people.<ref name="GVP"/>

The volcano has partially revegetated, with [[pine]]s and [[wildflower]]s. The crater is the namesake for the [[Penstemon clutei|Sunset Crater Beardtongue]] (''Penstemon clutei''). The volcano is monitored by the [[Yellowstone Volcano Observatory]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/dispersed-volcanic-fields-are-found-through-western-us | title=Dispersed volcanic fields are found through the western U.S. &#124; U.S. Geological Survey }}</ref> and is classified as a moderate threat.

Damage from [[hiking|hikers]] forced the [[National Park Service]] to close a trail leading to the crater, but a short trail at the base remains.<ref>
  {{cite web
  | url = http://www.nps.gov/sucr/planyourvisit/lava-flow-trail.htm
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121214025310/http://www.nps.gov/sucr/planyourvisit/lava-flow-trail.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = December 14, 2012
  | title = Lava Flow Trail
  | work = Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
  | publisher = National Park Service
  | date = September 14, 2006
  | access-date = August 12, 2008 }}</ref>

The hiking trail below the summit skirts the substantial Bonito 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.

== 2015 eruption scare ==

On June 5, 2015, a website with satellite images reported steam rising from the crater, leading to fears that Sunset Crater was erupting. The cause of the steam was later determined to be a forest fire, and geologists stated that the volcano was extinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2015/06/04/arizona-sunset-crater-volcano-steam-false-reports-abrk/28506865/ |title=Despite rumors, Arizona's Sunset Crater Volcano remains extinct |work=The Arizona Republic |date=June 5, 2015}}</ref>

== Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument ==

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a [[U.S. National Monument|U.S. national monument]] created to protect Sunset Crater, a [[cinder cone]] within the San Francisco Volcanic Field.<ref name="scvnm">
  {{cite web
  | title = Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
  | publisher = National Park Service
  | date = September 14, 2007
  | url = https://www.nps.gov/sucr/
  | access-date = August 12, 2008}}</ref>
The monument is managed by the [[National Park Service]] in conjunction with nearby [[Wupatki National Monument]]. In 1928, a [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film company, [[Famous Players–Lasky Corporation]], planned to detonate large quantities of explosives on the side of Sunset Crater in order to create an avalanche for [[Zane Grey]]'s motion picture ''[[Avalanche (1928 film)|Avalanche]]''.<ref name="knau">{{cite web|url=http://knau.org/post/americas-best-idea-sunset-crater-nearly-destroyed-hollwyood|title=America's Best Idea: Sunset Crater nearly destroyed by Hollywood|date=October 2, 2009|publisher=KNAU, NPR}}</ref> Public outcry over this plan led in part to the proclamation of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument by President [[Herbert Hoover]] in 1930.<ref name="scpeople">
 {{cite web
  | title = Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – People
  | publisher = National Park Service
  | date = March 20, 2007
  | url = https://home.nps.gov/sucr/learn/historyculture/people.htm
  | access-date = January 27, 2012}}</ref>

A 1-mile (1.6&nbsp;km), self-guided 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 1973 because of excessive erosion caused by hikers.<ref name="faq">{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/sucr/faqs.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=June 18, 2011}}</ref> A visitor center is located near the park entrance, {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} north of [[Flagstaff, Arizona]], along [[U.S. Highway 89]].

In April 2022, the [[Tunnel Fire (2022)|Tunnel Fire]] burned over the entirety of the monument, though the visitor center was spared.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sainty |first=Lane |title=Tunnel Fire burns Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument 'in its entirety' |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/04/21/sunset-crater-volcano-national-monument-burned-tunnel-fire/7403736001/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tunnel Fire Swept Through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Overnight Tuesday |url=https://gcmaz.com/kaff-news/kaff_news/the-tunnel-fire-swept-through-sunset-crater-volcano-national-monument-overnight-tuesday/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Great Circle Media |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2022, 98 acres including the visitor center and administrative facilities were transferred from [[Coconino National Forest]] to the national monument.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2022 |title=S. Rept. 117-61 - SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/117th-congress/senate-report/61/1}} (incorporated into the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023]])</ref>

==Climate==
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Sunset Crater has a [[Continental climate#Continental climate|Continental climate]], abbreviated "Dsb" on climate maps.
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Sunset Crater, Arizona (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1969–present)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 68
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 78
|Apr record high F = 82
|May record high F = 91
|Jun record high F = 99
|Jul record high F = 98
|Aug record high F = 97
|Sep record high F = 92
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 74
|Dec record high F = 68
|year record high F = 
| Jan avg record high F = 57.0
| Feb avg record high F = 59.8
| Mar avg record high F = 68.1
| Apr avg record high F = 75.2
| May avg record high F = 83.2
| Jun avg record high F = 92.8
| Jul avg record high F = 93.8
| Aug avg record high F = 89.5
| Sep avg record high F = 84.9
| Oct avg record high F = 77.5
| Nov avg record high F = 67.4
| Dec avg record high F = 60.8
|year avg record high F = 94.9
|Jan high F = 43.9
|Feb high F = 46.6
|Mar high F = 53.9
|Apr high F = 61.1
|May high F = 70.2
|Jun high F = 82.2
|Jul high F = 84.2
|Aug high F = 80.7
|Sep high F = 75.3
|Oct high F = 64.6
|Nov high F = 53.3
|Dec high F = 44.0
|year high F = 63.3

|Jan mean F = 28.4
|Feb mean F = 31.4
|Mar mean F = 37.4
|Apr mean F = 44.1
|May mean F = 51.9
|Jun mean F = 62.0
|Jul mean F = 66.6
|Aug mean F = 63.9
|Sep mean F = 57.5
|Oct mean F = 46.3
|Nov mean F = 35.8
|Dec mean F = 28.2
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 12.8
|Feb low F = 16.3
|Mar low F = 21.0
|Apr low F = 27.0
|May low F = 33.6
|Jun low F = 41.9
|Jul low F = 49.0
|Aug low F = 47.1
|Sep low F = 39.8
|Oct low F = 27.9
|Nov low F = 18.4
|Dec low F = 12.4
|year low F = 28.9
| Jan avg record low F = -4.1
| Feb avg record low F = -0.3
| Mar avg record low F = 5.6
| Apr avg record low F = 11.9
| May avg record low F = 18.6
| Jun avg record low F = 27.1
| Jul avg record low F = 38.4
| Aug avg record low F = 37.7
| Sep avg record low F = 26.5
| Oct avg record low F = 15.5
| Nov avg record low F = 2.9
| Dec avg record low F = -5.1
|year avg record low F = -8.7
|Jan record low F = -26
|Feb record low F = -28
|Mar record low F = -9
|Apr record low F = -1
|May record low F = 12
|Jun record low F = 16
|Jul record low F = 27
|Aug record low F = 27
|Sep record low F = 12
|Oct record low F = -5
|Nov record low F = -12
|Dec record low F = -25
|year record low F = 
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.10
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.08
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.65
|May precipitation inch = 0.69
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.31
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.65
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.45
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.72
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.39
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.87
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.72
|year precipitation inch = 17.04
|precipitation colour = green
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 1.2
|Nov snow inch = 3.5
|Dec snow inch = 11.9
|Jan snow inch = 12.2
|Feb snow inch = 9.4
|Mar snow inch = 6.1
|Apr snow inch = 4.2
|May snow inch = 0.8
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch= 49.3
|Jan precipitation days = 5.6
|Feb precipitation days = 5.8
|Mar precipitation days = 4.9
|Apr precipitation days = 3.8
|May precipitation days = 4.1
|Jun precipitation days = 2.3
|Jul precipitation days = 11.9
|Aug precipitation days = 14.2
|Sep precipitation days = 7.6
|Oct precipitation days = 5.0
|Nov precipitation days = 3.6
|Dec precipitation days = 5.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.4
| Nov snow days = 1.9
| Dec snow days = 4.4
| Jan snow days = 4.1
| Feb snow days = 4.4
| Mar snow days = 2.7
| Apr snow days = 1.8
| May snow days = 0.4
| Jun snow days = 0.0
|unit snow days = 0.1 inch
|source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fgz |title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date = August 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00028329&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Sunset Crater NM, AZ
|access-date = January 28, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==See also==
* [[List of national monuments of the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category|Sunset Crater Volcano}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* [https://www.nps.gov/sucr/index.htm Sunset Crater National Monument] at [[National Park Service]]
* [https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/sunset/sunvolc.html Sunset Crater] at [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]]
* {{GNIS|34967|Sunset Crater}}
* {{GNIS|34968|Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument}}
* {{GNIS|2025449|Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Visitor Center}}

{{National Monuments of the United States}}
{{Mountains of Arizona}}
<!--use the "Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument" redirect page to add categories for the national park -->
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Landforms of Coconino County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Mountains of Arizona]]
[[Category:Cinder cones of the United States]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Arizona]]
[[Category:Dormant volcanoes]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Coconino County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Mountains of Coconino County, Arizona]]
[[Category:11th century in North America]]
[[Category:Holocene cinder cones]]