The cinder cone of Sunset Crater, north of Flagstaff AZ, is a memorable location. This stark yet elegant mass of black volcanic cinders comes as a surprise after a procession of wooded mountains and green valleys. The volcanic residue remains rough to the touch after a thousand years. Trees and grass have gained but a scant foothold, and the higher slopes remain barren. The freshness of this land is palpable, the power of nature evident in the grotesque forms of solidified lava flows at the mountain's foot.
Cinder Cone was formed around the year 1075 AD. It's recent. Nature was reasserting power over this part of the San Francisco volcano field whilst, closer to home, William the Conqueror was subduing Saxon England. How strange to think that the inhabitants of this area were adapting to this monster in ways unrecorded, leaving just a few tantalising traces, whilst my ancestors lived through events well chronicled and much debated. Two quite parallel histories, each intriguing, each significant for those involved.
Hmmm, didn't know there was a volcano in Arizona. Hope you come to Canada sometime, there is a lot here you would love to see.
Posted by: Shirley | October 02, 2014 at 03:50 AM
There are several, some recent, others ancient. It's possible that another small eruption might occur one day.
It will be nice to visit Canada. The pictures I have seen of the mountains and coastline are amazing.
Posted by: White Horse Pilgrim | October 02, 2014 at 10:41 PM