Recent Bureau Publications

Geologic map of the Valles caldera, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

By Fraser Goff, Jamie N. Gardner, Steven L. Reneau, Shari A. Kelley, Kirt A. Kempter, and John R. Lawrence, 2011

30-page text, 1 sheet, lat. approximately from 35°47'00" to 36°02'00", long. approximately from 106°22'30" to 106°41'00", scale 1:50,000, 3 cross sections.

The Valles caldera, located in the heart of the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico, is the world’s premier example of a resurgent caldera, a giant circular volcano with an uplifted central floor and a near-perfect ring of roughly 15 postcaldera lava dome and flow eruptions.

This new Valles caldera map and cross sections represent the cumulative research efforts of countless geologists over the past 40 years, and several state and federal agencies. GM–79 compiles detailed geologic mapping completed in the past eight years from parts of the nine 7.5-min USGS topographic quadrangles that encompass the caldera. More than 150 map units are described in detail. Also incorporated are new geochronologic data and recent refinements to nomenclature.

ISBN: 9781883905293

One folded sheet + 30 page booklet

One 46 inch square map + 30 page booklet

The Rio Grande: A River Guide to the Geology and Landscapes of Northern New Mexico

By Paul W. Bauer

The Rio Grande is the fourth longest river in North America. Flowing nearly 2,000 miles from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, in New Mexico it occupies the Rio Grande Valley, where it provides water for habitat, agriculture, and a growing population. In northern New Mexico, where the river has carved a pair of spectacular canyons, the Rio Grande also provides some of the most exceptional recreation opportunities and scenery in North America. This comprehensive, spiral bound, waterproof, 122-page river guide provides detailed, full-color maps of 153 miles of the Rio Grande, from Lasauses, Colorado to Cochiti Dam in New Mexico. Divided into eleven river stretches—including the popular whitewater runs in the Taos Box, Racecourse, and White Rock Canyon—the guide covers stretches that range in difficulty from placid canoe tours to gripping kayak descents. The river maps are developed on an aerial photographic base (digital orthophoto quads), allowing the user to more easily identify locations.

The geology of the region is likewise exceptional. The river spills from the San Juan Mountains into the Rio Grande rift, where several million years of erosive action have exposed a geologic cornucopia, including three major volcanic fields (including the Jemez supervolcano), seismically active faults, extinct Pleistocene lakes, and ancient rocks of the Rocky Mountains. The guide uses non-technical language and lavish illustrations to interpret the evolution of this magnificent landscape.

Although the focus of the guide is on geology and landscape, the guide is packed with information and photos on geography, hydrology, climate, boating safety, river management, rock art, and much more. Providing detailed information on access and trails, history and landscape, railroads and mining, this guide is also an invaluable resource for hikers, anglers, cyclists, day trippers, historians, philosophers, and casual visitors.

ISBN: 978-1-883905-28-6

A Geologic Guide to the Quebradas Back Country Byway

by Peter A. Scholle.

Now available the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources releases a new, revised, print version of this popular online field guide, which has to date been available only in electronic format on our Web site. Produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the new edition has been edited for a more general audience and is keyed to ten numbered stops along the 24-mile-long byway, which runs from just north of Socorro to just east of San Antonio, on the east side of the Rio Grande in Socorro County. The Quebradas Back Country Byway, which is managed by the BLM (Socorro Field Office) is dirt; a high clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Multiple copies for distribution will be handled through the BLM Socorro Field Office (575-835-0412); single copies are available through that office or through the Publication Sales Office at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. For more information on the byway itself, call the BLM Socorro Field Office directly at 575-835-0412.

Free download—Quebradas Geologic Guide (2.5 MB PDF)

The Geology of Northern New Mexico's Parks, Monuments, and Public Lands

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the basic geology of the public lands of northern New Mexico. Developed specifically for a broad audience, this introduction includes 49 chapters on the most popular and spectacular public lands in the northern part of the state. Lavishly illustrated in full color, with close to 300 photos‚ maps‚ and illustrations, it’s a perfect guide for the roadside geologist and anyone wanting to know more about what’s underfoot in northern New Mexico. 380 pages. Chapters are divided into five parts:

1. The Colorado Plateau
2. The Jemez Mountains and the Valles Caldera
3. The Rio Grande Rift
4. The Southern Rocky Mountains
5. The Great Plains

ISBN: 9781883905255

Geologic map of the Albuquerque–Rio Rancho metropolitan area and vicinity, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico

By Sean Connell, 2008

Two sheets, scale 1:50,000, lat from 35°00' to 35°30', long from 106°22'30" to 106°52'30"

This is the first comprehensive compilation of the geology of the Albuquerque Basin to be printed in 30 years. The area covered by this new compilation is presented at a scale nearly four times the detail (1:50,000 scale compared to the earlier map’s 1:190,000 scale). This new geologic map is a compilation of sixteen 7.5-min USGS quadrangle maps and encompasses an area from Tijeras Arroyo on the south to Santa Ana Mesa north of Santa Ana and San Felipe Pueblos, and from the crest of the Sandia Mountains westward across the Rio Grande and onto the Llano de Albuquerque (West Mesa) west of the city limits of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

This geologic map graphically displays information on the distribution, character, orientation, and stratigraphic relationships of rock and surficial units and structural features. The map and accompanying cross sections were compiled from geologic field mapping and additionally from available aerial photography, satellite imagery, and drill-hole data (many published and unpublished reports, examination of lithologic cuttings, and from the interpretation of borehole geophysical log data).

Available folded or rolled.

ISBN: 9781883905262

Two folded sheets, 50 x 65.5 inches.

Two rolled sheets, 50 x 65.5 inches -- requires extra shipping.

New Mexico Geology

New Mexico Geology is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal available by subscription. Articles of original research are generally less than 10,000 words in length and pertain to the geology of New Mexico and neighboring states, primarily for an audience of professional geologists or those with an interest in the geologic story behind the landscape. The journal also publishes abstracts from regional meetings, theses, and dissertations (NM schools), descriptions of new publications, book reviews, and upcoming meetings. Research papers, short articles, and abstracts from selected back issues of New Mexico Geology are now available as free downloads in PDF format. Back issues are also available in hard copy for a nominal fee.

Earth Matters

This publication is a semi-annual newsletter that is distributed free-of-charge to New Mexicans interested in the state’s water, landscapes, and earth resources (back issues are available for free download as well). Each issue contains an informative article about an earth science topic of importance to our state,along with NM Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources (Bureau) news and highlighted current or upcoming publications. We want this newsletter, along with our informative Web site, to stimulate your interest in what the Bureau does, and increase our interactions with people and agencies throughout the state. Our 60 employees, including 38 scientists, are eager to participate in earth science studies, collaborate in outreach activities, and respond to service requests from the New Mexico public. We look forward to putting our 73 years of experience to work serving your needs.

Lite Geology

This publication is a free non-technical resource for teachers that is informative and fun to read. Lite Geology contains a wealth of classroom resources, including prepared exercises on our site as well as links to others. Lite Geology is written in a format that is less technical than other publications of the bureau. Included with the main articles are cartoons, puzzles, poetry, and other features designed to make learning fun. We also include information about teachers' resources, and upcoming geological and scientific events. You can subscribe to receive an email notification when new issues of our free periodicals are posted online.