SFA Earth Sciences

Noah models the latest in field camp technology - the tablets our Field Campers used for mapping Shingle Canyon.

Larry Shuler has spent the last several days at Knight Peak in New Mexico completing the fieldwork for his M.S. on the volcanic flows of the Malpais andesite and latite. Assisting him are M.S. student Bismark Apori, Liane Stevens (their advisor), and LaRell Nielson.

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Scenes from Shingle Canyon… field campers spent two days mapping in this area northeast of Silver City. At the current moment they are wrapping up their maps and cross sections, and getting ready for another travel day tomorrow.

Behold the traditional Field Camp dune jump, with an added bonus, the dune roll —- volume up for giggles.

On Monday Field Camp moved to southwestern New Mexico, and they stopped at White Sands National Park along the way to blow off some steam.

We get a little excited about volcanoes and mantle xenoliths!

After wrapping up field work for Project 5, our Field Campers explored more of the area in and around the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, this time focusing on the cinder cones and maar volcanoes of the Potrillo Volcanic Field, including the (geologically) famous Kilbourne Hole. Kilbourne Hole is a maar volcano, a crater that forms from an explosive eruption caused when hot magma or lava comes in contact with groundwater. Kilbourne Hole was an active volcano for a while, but the eruption that created the crater likely occurred sometime after 80,000-70,000 years ago. While its dramatic formation is interesting, KH is best known for the nodules of green peridotite that the lava carried to Earth’s surface from the mantle.

In settings like this it can be difficult to see what’s interesting about the geology. On first glance, the rock doesn’t appear to have much contrast, and the sun creates bright glare and dark shadows.But when you look closer… you start to see details like the lineations on smooth surfaces that are evidence of past fault motion… or pieces of rudists, an extinct marine bivalves that tell us something about the age and depositional environment of the rock layers.

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The Potrillos are rugged, but these Field Campers look good!

Mapping in the Potrillo Mountains started on Wednesday and wraps up today, with two days of drafting to come. Out in the Chihuahuan desert of Nee Mexico, the space is wide open, with little chance to escape from the sun and heat. The Franklin Mountains can be seen on the distant horizon.

Field Camp wrapped up Project 4 today by drafting their geologic maps. They found great working space in the library at El Paso Community College.

It might be the catch of the day, but we’re pretty sure it’s not for dinner.