Existing comment:
San Francisco Peaks:
Almost 60 miles away, the peaks of the San Francisco mountains loom high above the horizon. Humphreys Peak [near Flagstaff] dominates, at 12,633 feet, it is Arizona's highest point.
The San Francisco Peaks are remnants of volcanoes. Geologically young, they formed in the past six million years and have been active as recently as 1000 years ago.
Much closer stands Red Butte. Though technically not part of the San Francisco Peaks, Red Butte owns its existence to them. When volcanoes formed the peaks, lava covered an area that today includes Red Butte. Red Butte survives as an erosional remnant of Moenkopf Sandstone capped with resistant lava. |