Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Sunset Crater Volcano
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
1. Sunset Crater Volcano Marker
The distant San Francisco Peaks would have looked much like they do today. To the east, however, Sunset Crater Volcano would still have been belching black smoke and cinders when the Sinagua and Anasazi lived here. The thick layer of cinders over the sandy soil helped hold moisture, which was beneficial to the growing of crops. Eventually, even Sunset Crater Volcano grew quiet, and the winds blew the cinders away and dried out the soil.
Why the Lomaki residents departed is not certain. There are indications of disease affecting the population, or a lengthy drought creating a landscape barren of vegetation, animals and firewood. Or invading hostile tribes may have contributed to the abandonment of this area by the mid-1200s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Native Americans.
Location. 35° 34.769′ N, 111° 28.1′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is on Loop Road, on the right when traveling north. From Flagstaff, take
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daily Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Landscapes (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dry Land Farming (about 600 feet away); Box Canyon Ruins (about 700 feet away); A Legacy of the Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nalakihu (approx. 0.9 miles away); Community (approx. 0.9 miles away); Where Were The Fields? (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
2. Sunset Crater Volcano Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
3. Volcanic Cinder Cones
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
4. Box Canyon Ruins
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
5. San Francisco Peaks~Mt. Humphreys
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
6. Middle Mesa
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
7. O'Leary Peak
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 28, 2012
8. Sunset Crater Volcano~Citadel Ruins
Sunset Crater is the far left and The Citadel Ruins just in the center.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
