Arizona is home to several volcanic fields, some of which are considered active or dormant, meaning they have the potential for future volcanic activity.
The San Francisco Volcanic field is Located near Flagstaff and this is one of the most significant volcanic areas in Arizona. It covers about 3,000 square miles and includes over 600 volcanoes, including cinder cones, lava domes, and the highest point in Arizona, the San Francisco Peaks.
The most recent eruption in this field was from Sunset Crater around 1085 AD, making it the youngest volcano in the area. This field is considered active due to the possibility of future eruptions, though there is no current volcanic activity.
The Uinkaret Volcanic field is situated on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, this field has also shown activity within the last 1,000 years. It’s known for its lava flows that have historically dammed the Colorado River. Like the San Francisco field, it’s considered active with a “high likelihood” of future eruptions.
The Pinacate Volcanic field spans the Arizona-Mexico border, with most of it in Mexico, but some activity extends into Arizona. It’s known for it’s cinder cones and has had relatively recent volcanic activity, though not within the last 1,000 years.
These fields aren’t continuously monitored like active volcanoes in other parts of the country, but they are considered active due to their volcanic history and the geological setting suggesting future potential eruptions. While eruptions are not expected in the immediate future, these areas remain geologically significant.
For those who might be interested in exploring these geological wonders, there’s the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offering a chance to see the effects of the youngest eruption in Arizona.
There’s also hiking and recreational opportunities available in the San Francisco volcanic field, where one can explore dormant volcanoes and lava fields.
While the areas mentioned above are termed *active, there’s no immediate threat of volcanic activity and they are safe for tourism and recreational activities. However, the geological history reminds us of the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust
