Precursors to Supereruptions at the Valles Caldera, New Mexico
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Just west of La Cueva are spectacular exposures of deposits from the caldera-forming eruptions. The deposits erode into cone shaped spires that are commonly referred to as “tent rocks”.
× Just west of La Cueva are spectacular exposures of deposits from the caldera-forming eruptions. The deposits erode into cone shaped spires that are commonly referred to as “tent rocks”.
2021 Matt Zimmerer
Despite recognition as one the most iconic volcanoes on the planet, there is still much to learn about Valles caldera in north-central NM. A new collaboration between researchers at the Bureau and from UT Austin is seeking to understand the events leading up to supereruptions. In particular, the team is studying the Cerro Toledo Formation, a group of volcanic domes and related ashes that erupted between the large caldera forming events at 1.61 and 1.23 million-years-ago.
This summer they met up to collect samples for geochronology and geochemical analyses that will be performed in the coming years. Click on the photos to read a bit more. This work is partially supported by the AGeS2 Program, which supports geochronology student research at labs across the US such as the Bureau’s Argon geochronology lab. Stay tuned to this page and our Facebook page for exciting updates as the project advances!
Ash deposits of the Cerro Toledo Formation are well exposed in Pueblo Canyon near Los Alamos. Here, students are pondering if the layers in the outcrop are ash deposits emplaced during eruptions or sedimentary deposits emplaced during eruptive hiatuses.
× Ash deposits of the Cerro Toledo Formation are well exposed in Pueblo Canyon near Los Alamos. Here, students are pondering if the layers in the outcrop are ash deposits emplaced during eruptions or sedimentary deposits emplaced during eruptive hiatuses.
2021 Matt Zimmerer
View from near the northeastern rim of Valles caldera looking to the south. The hills in the foreground are the volcanic domes of the Cerro Toledo Formation that were emplaced before the youngest caldera eruption. The hills on the sky line are volcanic domes that erupted after the youngest caldera eruption.
× View from near the northeastern rim of Valles caldera looking to the south. The hills in the foreground are the volcanic domes of the Cerro Toledo Formation that were emplaced before the youngest caldera eruption. The hills on the sky line are volcanic domes that erupted after the youngest caldera eruption.
