November 8th, 2012 Category: Deserts, Mountains, Volcanoes

USA – November 7th, 2012

The Carrizozo Malpais is a large lava flow on the west side of Carrizozo, New Mexico, on the northern part of the Tularosa Basin between Sierra Blanca to the southeast and the Oscura Mountains to the west. The lava making up the flow came from Little Black Peak, about 10 miles north-northwest of Carrizozo, and went about 40 miles south-southwest down the bottom of Tularosa Basin in a series of recent (the last 1,000-1,500 years) active flows. At their southern end, the lava flows are about 12 miles north of the dune fields of White Sands National Monument, easily discernible here due to their glowing white color.

Tags: Carrizozo Malpais New Mexico Oscura Mountains Sierra Blanca Tularosa Basin USA White Sands National Monument | Comments |

October 9th, 2012 Category: Deserts, Volcanoes

USA – October 8th, 2012

The elongated brown area in this image is the Carrizozo Malpais, a large lava flow on the west side of Carrizozo, New Mexico, on the northern part of the Tularosa Basin between Sierra Blanca to the southeast and the Oscura Mountains to the west.

The lava making up the flow came from Little Black Peak, about 10 miles north-northwest of Carrizozo, and went about 40 miles south-southwest down the bottom of Tularosa Basin in a series of recent (the last 1,000-1,500 years ago) active flows. At their southern end, the lava flows are about 12 miles north of the dune fields of White Sands National Monument.

The White Sands National Monument, easily spotted as a bright white area south of the lava flow, is located about 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Alamogordo in western Otero County and northeastern Doña Ana County in the state of New Mexico, at an elevation of 4235 feet (1291 m). The area is in the mountain-ringed Tularosa Basin and comprises the southern part of a 710-km² (275-mi²) field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals.

Tags: Carrizozo Malpais Lava field Little Black Peak Oscura Mountains Sierra Blanca Tularosa Basin USA White Sands National Monument | Comments |

April 20th, 2012 Category: Deserts, Rivers, Volcanoes

USA - April 17th, 2012

The Rio Grande can be seen flowing down the left side of this image, in the state of New Mexico, USA. Visible to the east of the river are the White Sands National Monument, is a protected area of glistening white sands rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin that contains the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. The dark line with thick ends north of the White Sands is the Carrizozo Malpais, a 75 kilometer long area of basaltic lava flows.

Tags: Carrizozo Malpais New Mexico Rio Grande Tularosa Basin USA White Sands National Monument | Comments |

June 1st, 2011 Category: Deserts, Volcanoes

USA - May 23rd, 2011

The White Sands National Monument is a protected area of glistening white sands rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin, in New Mexico, USA. Here, dunes have engulfed 275 square miles of desert creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

North of the White Sands is the Carrizozo Malpais, one of the youngest volcanic features in the state of New Mexico. The 75 kilometer long Malpais, is composed of basaltic lava flows.

Tags: Carrizozo Malpais New Mexico Tularosa Basin USA White Sands National Monument | Comments |