Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA May 2, 2024

Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA

Buckle up, Earthlings, as you venture into an extraterrestrial realm right here on our planet! Surrounded by the rugged landscape of Idaho, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve was born of the volcanic forces that shaped the region thousands of years ago. Visitors are greeted by a surreal vista of vast lava fields, cinder cones and spatter cones, reminiscent of a lunar surface, spread across almost 218 square kilometres. Did you know that the Apollo 14 astronauts trained here to prepare for their moon missions? The space travellers were able gain insight into similar conditions found on the moon by exploring the unique volcanic geology of the Craters of the Moon. So, if you ever want to visit outer space without leaving Earth, Craters of the Moon should be right up your alley.

© Alan Majchrowicz/Getty Images

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