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Bonito Lava Flow view. Photo by Melanei Moreno, 10/98
View of cinder-covered slopes seen from the trail.

How about going on a volcanic field trip?

The Bonito Lava Flow is one of several flows that streamed out from the base of Sunset Crater Volcano about 930 years ago. The 1200° C (2200° Fahrenheit) liquid formed a river of black lava that inundated over four and a half square kilometers (almost two square miles) of the landscape before it cooled and solidified.

If you were actually in the park, you could pick up a trailguide booklet and walk the Lava Flow Trail. The trail route and the numbered stops would be a little different. But for now, enjoy this virtual tour:

You'll be walking on the rocky surface of Bonito Lava Flow on this virtual field trip. You may travel along by clicking on the field trip map below or use the table of contents to select your itinerary. Each stop starts off with the basics, but why not click on any of the images, scientific terms or ‘side trips’ to find out more?

Put on your walking shoes and let’s go!

STOP 1

Bubbling basalt: Molten rock invades the Colorado Plateau

Side trip: Take a closer look at a monster vesicle...


STOP 2

Colors of Sunset


STOP 3

Lichens: the first to return


STOP 4

Squeeze-up!

Side trip: Another of Sunset Crater’s great squeeze-ups


STOP 5

How to build a cinder cone

Side trip: Hot stuff! Compare Sunset Crater with an active cinder cone in Hawaii-Pu'u 'O'o


STOP 6

Lava takes a short-cut

Side trip: Lava tubes in Hawaii


STOP 7

Miniature volcanoes

Side trip: Spatter cones in action


STOP 8

The San Francisco Peaks

STOP 9
Aa and pahoehoe

STOP 10
After the lava cools

STOP 11
Dating the eruption

STOP 12
Life returns

STOP 13
Changes to come?





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This site is a cooperative endeavor of the
US Geological Survey Western Earth Surface Processes Team
and the National Park Service.

This page was last updated on 8/16/2006.