Craters of the Moon centennial May 2, 2024

Craters of the Moon centennial

Buckle up, Earthlings, as you venture into an extraterrestrial realm right here on our planet! Surrounded by the rugged landscape of Idaho, 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 vast lava fields, cinder cones, and spatter cones, spread across almost 54,000 acres. The Apollo 14 astronauts trained here, gaining insight into lunar conditions by exploring the volcanic geology of this surreal landscape.

© Alan Majchrowicz/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 2, 2018Mackerel forming a bait ball to avoid predators
May 2, 2019Making it work—in Norway
May 2, 2020Morocco in bloom
May 2, 2021Happy World Laughter Day
May 2, 2022Pamukkale, Turkey
May 2, 2023Jöriseen lakes in the Silvretta Alps, Switzerland
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 11, 2019Bringing together history and technology
Jan 1, 2021Take the plunge into 2021
Oct 3, 2022World Architecture Day
Mar 16, 2021Why does this panda cub look so happy?
Dec 29, 2018When science looks like magic
Aug 3, 2023Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Feb 3, 2024Carnival of Venice
Nov 13, 2025Quiver trees, Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Feb 12, 2025Celebrating Charles Darwin
May 20, 2018Who doesn’t love a ‘Puppy’?
Jul 7, 2022Heceta Head Light, Florence, Oregon
Jan 25, 2024Ruins of St. Dwynwens Church, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales
Jan 4, 2020Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
Mar 25, 2024Happy Holi!
Nov 21, 2020Headed to the High Country
Sep 9, 2018Welcome to ‘Hollywood North’
Mar 27, 2018Macro photograph of a migrant hawker dragonfly
Mar 26, 2022Spring awakens
May 31, 2023World Otter Day
Aug 20, 2024Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Sep 7, 2025Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława, Poland
Mar 15, 2023Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
Dec 4, 2020Protecting wildlife today and tomorrow
Nov 10, 2024Caribbean flamingos, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Nov 21, 2019Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!
Nov 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Jan 17, 2019A wassailing we go
Oct 2, 2022Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Jul 13, 2025Iceland for International Rock Day
Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day