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 Whatever
plants existed nearby were destroyed by Sunset Crater's eruption.
After such a catastrophic event, a variety of plants return in
a sequence known as succession. Plant succession begins with the
formation of soil, a very slow process. Water freezing and thawing
in cracks breaks up rocks. Animals and wind transport seeds into
the area. Plant roots and digging animals pry things apart, and
their decaying bodies add nutrients to developing soil. Small
plants return first, eventually followed by trees.
Today, plants still struggle to grow. Precipitation
averages only 16 inches each year, and most of it drains away
quickly through the cinders. Ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, wax
currant, and smaller wildflowers now grow along the Lava Flow
Trail.
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