Sunset Crater. Photo Credit: Meghann M. Vance, Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories, 2012.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, established in 1930, was created to preserve its geological resources. However, later in that same year, researchers discovered that the eruption of the volcano was much more recent than originally thought, and witnessed by prehistoric people living in the American Southwest. Sunset Crater continues to be of cultural significance to local Native American tribes, and has become part of the American memory, as well.
The American Southwest Virtual Museum hosts materials relating to training of Apollo astronauts within Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, the prehistory of the area, a virtual trail guide for the Lava Flow Trail, and a 360-degree panoramic tour of the Visitor Center and Lava Flow Trail.
Virtual tours
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- Lava Flow Virtual Trail Guide
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- 360 Virtual Tour
Image galleries
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- Astronauts
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- Prehistory
Videos
Sunset Crater Visitor Center Program
Additional information can be found at the official National Park Service website for Sunset Crater (link opens in new window).