Amboy Crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amboy Crater |
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Amboy Crater, as viewed from the east
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 944 ft (288 m) |
| Prominence | 250 ft (76 m) |
| Geography | |
 Amboy Crater
Location in California
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| Topo map | USGS Amboy Crater |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Cinder cone |
| Last eruption | About 10,000 Years Ago |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Trail |
| Designated: | May 1973 |
Amboy Crater is a sleeping volcano in the Mojave Desert of southern California. It is a type of volcano called a cinder cone. This volcano stands tall over a huge area of hardened lava, which is about 70 square kilometers (27 square miles) wide. It is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument.
Amboy Crater is located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Barstow to the west and Needles to the east. It is also about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) south of the famous historic road, U.S. Route 66. The nearby town is Amboy in San Bernardino County. Because it is so special, Amboy Crater was named a National Natural Landmark in 1973.
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Where is Amboy Crater?
Amboy Crater is located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of the small town of Amboy. This town is right on the historic Route 66, also known as the National Trails Highway. To the west of the crater, you can see the Bullion Mountains. To the northeast, you'll find the Bristol Mountains.
What is Amboy Crater?
This cinder cone volcano is very old, estimated to be about 79,000 years old. It formed over many years from layers of bubbly, flowing lava called pahoehoe. This happened during the Pleistocene period, which was a long time ago! Inside the crater, you can see where a lava lake once was, now completely solid.
The area around the crater is covered in lava flows that are just as old as the volcano itself. The last time Amboy Crater erupted was about 10,000 years ago. That's why it's called a "dormant" volcano – it's sleeping!
The top of the crater is 288 meters (944 feet) above sea level. It rises about 76 meters (250 feet) above the flat, surrounding lava plains. Amboy Crater was a popular stop for people traveling on U.S. Route 66 in California. Before Interstate 40 opened in 1973, many travelers would stop to see this unique volcano.
It was one of the few volcanoes along the entire Route 66. So, many generations of travelers from the 1920s to the 1960s could say they had climbed a real volcano! After Interstate 40 opened, fewer people visited. But recently, more visitors have come. They are interested in "old Route 66" and other nearby places like Mitchell Caverns and Mojave National Preserve.
Visiting Amboy Crater: What to Know
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The sign for Amboy Crater National Landmark.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) takes care of Amboy Crater. They suggest using the Western Cone Trail to hike to the top of the volcano's rim. This trail is steep and rocky, so be prepared!
The trail starts at the Amboy Crater day-use parking area. Here, you'll find shaded picnic tables and public restrooms. When visiting the desert, it's important to be safe. Always watch out for rattlesnakes and any old military explosives. Make sure to wear a hat, use sunscreen, wear sturdy shoes, and bring plenty of drinking water. If you are part of a school group or organized tour, it's a good idea to contact the BLM before your visit.
Amboy Crater in Movies and TV
Amboy Crater has been featured in several movies and TV shows!
- In the 1959 movie Journey to the Center of the Earth, Amboy Crater was used as a filming location. Artists changed its shape with special effects to make it look like a volcano in Iceland. They even set fires inside the crater to make it look like an eruption!
- The Viceland network show Abandoned featured Amboy Crater in an episode about Route 66.
- In HBO's From the Earth to the Moon, Amboy Crater was shown during astronaut training. It stood in for the volcanic areas outside of Flagstaff, Arizona.
See also
- Lavic Lake volcanic field
- Cima Dome & Volcanic Field National Natural Landmark
- Mojave National Preserve
- Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
- Roy's Motel and Café
