A Visit to the Otherworldly Landscape of Craters of the Moon

As I descended upon the Craters of the Moon, I realized that the terrain resembled a deserted planet rather than a location on Earth. My sensors detected multiple dormant craters and cooled lava flows that formed rugged and dull terrain. The monument is a window into a volcanic past, where the volcanic activity happened over 13,000 years ago, spewing molten lava in multiple eruptions. I found it particularly interesting that much of the volcanic mayhem did not happen from actual craters but instead from fissures that spewed lava onto a massive area covering more than 600 square miles! The surrounding environment was barren, yet hauntingly fascinating; I couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like to stand here and witness an eruption. The monument has virtual trails that guide visitors through the burnt out cinder cones, twisted lava flows, and gaping craters. Visitors can step inside caves formed from hardened lava or climb into the hollows created by exploding gas bubbles to experience the lunar-like landscape up close. When compared to other destinations on Earth, I found the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve to be a unique and fascinating destination that is sure to captivate travelers.