S P Crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids S P Crater |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,021 ft (2,140 m) NGVD 29 |
| Geography | |
 S P Crater
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | ~6.0–5.5 ka |
| Mountain type | Cinder cone |
| Volcanic field | San Francisco volcanic field |
S P Crater is a fascinating cinder cone volcano located in the San Francisco volcanic field. It stands about 25 miles (40 km) north of Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States. This volcano is surrounded by other cinder cones, which are older and more worn down by time.
S P Crater is a very noticeable landmark in the area. It features a clear lava flow that stretches for about 4.3 miles (6.9 km) to the north. Did you know that American astronauts once used this crater to practice for their moonwalks? It helped them prepare for exploring the Moon's surface!
Contents
Discovering S P Crater: A Young Volcano
S P Crater is a relatively young volcano, and its unique features make it a great place to learn about geology. You can even climb S P Crater and see the impressive lava flow from its rim.
What's in a Name? The Story of S P Crater
The name of S P Crater has an interesting story from the days of the Old West. C. J. Babbit, a rancher and early owner of the land in the 1880s, thought the mountain looked like a "spilled pot." Because of this, the initials "S P" became the accepted local name. When maps were made, mapmakers decided to use only the abbreviated "S P" instead of the full description. This is why the mountain is known by its short, mysterious name today.
How S P Crater Was Formed: A Look at its Geology
S P Crater is an 820-foot (250 m) tall cinder cone volcano. It is made of a type of volcanic rock called basaltic andesite.
The Cone and its Lava Flow
The top of the cone has a protective rim made of agglomerate, which is a mix of volcanic rock fragments. This rim helps keep the cone's shape strong. A long lava flow, which came from the same opening as the cone, extends about 4.3 miles (7 km) to the north.
Scientists have studied how the lava flow and the cone formed. Some think the lava flow might have come out just before the cone itself. This idea comes from looking at the rocks and how the cone sits on top of the lava flow without being bent or changed. However, other scientists believe the cone formed first as gas escaped from the magma. Then, lava might have pushed through the side of the cone later in the eruption. It's a fascinating puzzle for geologists!
Uncovering the Volcano's Age
Early attempts to figure out the age of S P Crater's lava suggested it was about 70,000 years old. However, these dates were not considered reliable. This was because of extra argon gas found in the rocks and how fresh and new the volcano still looked.
More recently, scientists used advanced methods like optically stimulated luminescence to date tiny quartz crystals found in the lava. These newer, more accurate tests showed that S P Crater is much younger. It formed about 5,500 to 6,000 years ago. This age fits much better with how new and well-preserved the volcano appears today.
