Buried under Sunset Crater's lava and cinders are perhaps dozens of pithouses. Those excavated revealed few artifacts; even building timbers had been removed. This suggests people had ample warning of the impending eruption.

The changed environment forced new adaptations, which included migration from the area. Those who stayed nearby had to adapt their traditional agricultural technology to lower elevations and cinder-covered land.

Wherever we live, changes occur around us. Some changes are only visible if we pay close attention; others demand our full attention for survival.

[Photo and illustration captions]

The 1943 eruption of Par?cutin in Mexico (pictured above) is the modern day equivalent of the Sunset eruption, providing eyewitness accounts and analogies.

The Sunset eruption began in a 'curtain of fire' eruption, like the one in Hawaii (background image). Then, like Par?cutin, the cinder cone grew and lava flowed from the base of the cone.

Pithouses like this were the early dwellings of indigenous farming groups who lived in the area from about the year 500 until 1300. Archeologists attribute this architectural style to the Sinagua culture.

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Show me all markers in:  Flagstaff, AZ  |  Coconino County  |  86004  |  Arizona  |  United States of America

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