Special Presentation: Craters of the Moon National Monument

Craters of the Moon National Monument is located near Arco, Idaho. The body of the park is about 464,303 acres and is administrated by the National Park Service. 

The region was formed as a result of the last Yellowstone eruption. The "craters" are actually active volcano cones that could potentially erupt again in the future.

Many features inside the National Monument can also be found on the moon, which has helped scientists in studying the natural history of the moon

Of course, the area has helped scientists to study the natural history of our planet as well

Some of the rocks can only be carved by the hands of nature

Things grow and wither on this seemingly barren desert

"Devil's Orchard"

The volcanic soil, which is rich in nutrients, has turned a supposedly barren landscape into an oasis in some parts of the National Monument

One of the volcanic cones

A Volcanic cone's age can be told in how well it is covered by vegetation, the older the cone, the more it is covered by grass and trees

The National Monument and the surrounding Idaho wilderness

A contrast between a volcanic cone and the mountains around it

Cones like this one still has noticeable thermal energy underneath it. Thus there are very few signs of vegetation in the surrounding area.

One of the volcano calderas that recently erupted

"One Small Step For A Man, One Giant Leap For Mankind"

Where there is life, there is death. Where there is death, there is life