New Mexico Rocks!: A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Land of Enchantment

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To uncover geological wonders in New Mexico, all you need is a good map, a sense of adventure, and a guide to 60 fascinating geologic sites. New Mexico, shaped by volcanic activity, features everything from supervolcano calderas to young basalt flows and cinder cones. The ancient Puebloans likely witnessed the state's most recent eruptions while carving homes into volcanic tuff and trading obsidian and turquoise. The legends of New Mexico's fiery origins are complemented by its unique geological sites. Unlike other western states, New Mexico's White Sands are composed of gypsum rather than quartz. Carlsbad Caverns, initially appearing as a typical limestone cavern, was formed through sulfuric acid dissolution rather than the usual carbonic acid from rainwater. Silver was not only extracted from hard rock veins but also found coating the surface of a cave known as the Bridal Chamber. Dinosaurs, including the Bisti Beast and Coelophysis, roamed the state, leaving tracks on the Dinosaur Freeway, while the footprints at Prehistoric Trackways National Monument were made by Dimetrodon, which is not a dinosaur. With stunning photographs and informative figures and maps, this guidebook provides comprehensive insights into New Mexico's diverse geology.