Vulcan, Extinct volcano in West Mesa, Albuquerque, United States

Vulcan is an inactive spatter cone in the West Mesa area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, within Petroglyph National Monument. It rises 600 feet (180 m) above the valley floor, with spatter material thickest on its southeastern side and a solidified lava pond of massive gray basalt occupying its crater.

The last eruption happened around 150,000 years ago, leaving behind a solidified pool of gray basalt with columnar jointing still visible inside the crater. The cone took shape during an early period of volcanic activity that also produced the long chain of vents across West Mesa.

From 1951 to 1973, students painted a large letter J on the eastern slope, and locals still call it J Volcano today. That informal name stuck and is still used in everyday conversation around Albuquerque.

The cone is accessible through Petroglyph National Monument, where marked trails lead from the park visitor areas toward the volcanic features. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground is rocky and uneven in places.

The J painted on the eastern slope from 1951 to 1973 by freshmen of the College of St. Joseph was covered with dark stain in 1973, yet the letter is still faintly visible on the cone today.