Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark



Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark recognizes the Lunar Crater volcanic field in Nye County, central Nevada, as a United States National Natural Landmark. It is located 70 mi east-northeast of Tonopah and was designated in 1973.

Volcanic features
The volcanic field encompasses numerous volcanic craters and cinder cones, including a 400 acre crater that is thought to have been formed by several volcanic explosions and is one of the field's two maars.

Astronaut training
In September 1972, Lunar Crater was used by NASA to train astronauts of the Apollo program in recognizing geological and volcanic features expected on the Moon. Their field exercises included two rover traverses. Astronauts who used this training on the Moon include Apollo 16's John Young and Charlie Duke, as well as Apollo 17's Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt. Notable geologist instructors included William R. Muehlberger.