Taos Plateau volcanic field

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The Taos Plateau volcanic field is an area of extensive volcanism in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. It is the second largest volcanic field in the Rio Grande Rift, spreading over 7,000 km². The age of most of the vents and associated lava flows in the field is estimated to be between 1.8 and 4 million years, with a few 22 million year old vents. The composition of the lavas varies from tholeiitic basalt to rhyolite. Landforms include sheet flows, cinder cones, and shield volcanoes. The sheet flows are well-exposed in the gorge carved by the Rio Grande.

[edit] References

• Wood, Charles A.; Jürgen Kienle, eds. (1990). Volcanoes of North America. Cambridge University Press, pp.290–292. ISBN 0-521-43811-X. 
• Volcanoes of New Mexico: Taos Plateau Volcanic Field

[edit] External links

• NM's Volcanoes Documentary

• Taos Plateau volcanic field is at coordinates 36°36′N 105°48′W / 36.6, -105.8 (Taos Plateau volcanic field)Coordinates: 36°36′N 105°48′W / 36.6, -105.8 (Taos Plateau volcanic field)