The Geologic Map of the Mount Taylor Volcano Area, New Mexico is a 1:36,000 compilation of six re... more The Geologic Map of the Mount Taylor Volcano Area, New Mexico is a 1:36,000 compilation of six recent NMBGMR 1:24,000 geologic quadrangles that encompass this extinct composite stratovolcano. Mount Taylor is New Mexico's second-largest volcano after the Valles Caldera in the Jemez Mountains. This timely map and accompanying report, resulting from over a decade of thorough work, synthesizes the current geologic understanding of such an important landscape feature of the state.For such a complex volcanic landform, the report provides an exhaustive description of the volcano area in an easy-to-read format. In addition to providing a detailed description of each of the map's 339 units and dikes, it documents the volcano's history and history of research, its geochemical and petrographic composition, the phases of its construction ranging from the initial to the terminal eruptions, 3.72-1.26 million years ago, and its subsequent erosion, resulting in the summit Amphitheater and its extensive apron of debris. It describes the surrounding volcanic centers, the structure of the area, and the extensive dikes and maars. After touching on the water resources, hydrothermal alteration and mineralization, and geothermal potential, the report concludes with a conceptual model of volcano evolution.
ABSTRACT RESERVATION area in the northeastern, the Pescado area in the east-central, the Dowa Yal... more ABSTRACT RESERVATION area in the northeastern, the Pescado area in the east-central, the Dowa Yalanne-Black Rock-Spring House Draw area in the central, and the Ojo Caliente area in the southwestern part of the reservation. Springs discharge from the Permian San Andres-Glorieta (Psg) aquifer, Triassic Chinle Group (c) aquifer, Triassic-Jurassic Rock Point-Zuni (r, Jz) aquifer, and interconnected Quaternary alluvium/fractured basalt (Qal/Qb) aquifers, respectively. Springs discharging from the Psg and Qal/ Qb aquifers have the highest discharge rates and are the most numerous on the reservation, and this paper is primarily focused on these two aquifers. The assessment of each spring included some or all of the following: geologic and geomorphic mapping; measurement of spring discharge; measurement of field water quality parameters; water sample collection and analysis for major cations and anions, stable isotopes and tritium; identifica-tion of the source aquifer; and preliminary assessment of flora and fauna. Springs were classified based on the classification system described in Springer et al. (2008). In the Ojo Caliente area, springs are also classified as fen-type springs (not included in the Springer et al. (2008) classification), which are fed by groundwater moving vertically upward from a confined aquifer through a confining unit. Five of the 29 springs examined during this investigation were dry at the time of the 2007-2009 field visits. Hydrogeologic Setting The Zuni Reservation lies on the south flank of the Zuni uplift at the base of the Zuni Mountains in the southeast corner of the Colorado Plateau physiographic province. The Zuni uplift is a Laramide structural feature, formed from late Cretaceous through Eocene time (Kelley, 1967; Chamberlin and Anderson, 1989). The Zuni Mountains are a granite-cored uplift, and New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, 64 th Field Conference, Geology of Route 66 Region: Flagstaff to Grants, 2013, p. 205-213 ABStrAct—Relatively high-volume springs (100-300 gpm; 6-19 l/s) discharge from the Permian San Andres-Glorieta (Psg) aquifer and interconnected Quaternary alluvium and fractured basalt (Qal/Qb) aquifers on the Zuni Reservation in west-central New Mexico. Psg springs in the Nutria area, near the recharge source in the Zuni Mountains, exhibit a mixture of modern (<5-10 year old) and pre-1952 recharge, indicating spring discharge from shallow and deep circulation systems near the mountain front. Psg springs in the Ojo Caliente area are fen-type springs that represent predominantly or entirely pre-1952 recharge. Stable isotope (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) data are consistent with high elevation, winter precipitation recharge for Nutria Psg springs and a lower elevation North Plains/Continental Divide recharge source southeast of the reservation for the Ojo Caliente springs. Alluvial springs in the Black Rock area exhibit lower-elevation, modern recharge, whereas discharge from Pescado-area alluvial springs exhibit higher-elevation, predominantly pre-1952 recharge. The recharge source for Pescado springs is likely winter precipitation in the Zuni Mountains, whereas Black Rock alluvial springs have local recharge sources on uplands within the reservation. Springs in both areas discharge from an interconnected alluvial/fractured basalt flow system. Springs discharging from the Rock Point Fm/Zuni sandstone aquifer exhibit variable recharge, with some receiving rapid recharge from winter precipitation and others receiving older recharge from summer monsoonal precipitation. Spring discharge measurements collected during 2007-2009, when compared to earlier studies by Orr (1987) and Summers (1972), suggest a generally declining trend in spring flows between 1972 and 2009. This apparent decline in spring discharge could be due to increased groundwater diversions in the Zuni Mountains, Zuni River basin, and regionally in the Psg aquifer, fluctuations in precipitation, variations in measurement methodologies, or a combination of these factors. Increasing spring flows after 2009 correspond to above-normal winter precipitation, particularly snow moisture content, recorded at one precipi-tation station and three snow courses in the recharge area.
Abstract Two separate hydrocarbon plumes located along the Zuzax fault near Tijeras, New Mexico h... more Abstract Two separate hydrocarbon plumes located along the Zuzax fault near Tijeras, New Mexico have migrated into both unconfined and semiconfined aquifers in the Paleozoic Abo and Madera Formations and have contaminated several domestic and commercial wells in the area. Groundwater flow beneath the site occurs in fractured sandstone and limestone beds which are separated by mudstone and shale aquitards. An extensive benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) plume and a smaller BTEX/EDC (dichloroethane) plume originate from separate locations. In both source areas, phase separated hydrocarbons (PSH) are present in perched water zones within fractured siltstone or sandstone beds. In the BTEX/MTBE source area, the perched water zone leaks into a deeper aquifer utilized by domestic and commercial water users in the area. Under the influence of down gradient pumping stresses, hydrocarbon contamination of the aquifer located below the BTEX/MTBE contaminant source at a depth of 60 to 80 feet has migrated vertically along a splay of the Zuzax fault into a semiconfined aquifer located at a depth of 110 to 190 feet below ground surface. The BTEX/MTBE contaminant plume has subsequently migrated approximately one-half mile down gradient along the northeast trending Juniper Ridge half-graben which parallels the Zuzax fault. Pumping test data and contaminant plume geometry indicate that graben bounding faults are low-permeability barriers to horizontal ground water flow and contaminant migration, but likely act as pathways for vertical ground water flow and contaminant migration. Pumping tests conducted on wells completed into each aquifer show strong boundary effects from graben bounding faults, exhibit dual porosity characteristics, and demonstrate communication between the upper two aquifers. Hydraulic conductivity (k) values for the upper two aquifers range from fracture k values of 110 ft/day and matrix k of 12 ft/day for upper Aquifer A to a fracture k of 40 ft/day and a matrix k of 1 ft/day for underlying Aquifer B. Fracture k of lowermost Aquifer C is 15 ft/day; matrix k could not be determined from the Aquifer C pumping test. The aquifer test data demonstrate a decrease in fracture and matrix k with depth. Estimated solute transport rates are 3 ft/day for Aquifer A and 1.2 ft/ day for Aquifer B.
ABSTRACT.—Hale Spring is located on the southern outskirts of the City of Ruidoso Downs, in the R... more ABSTRACT.—Hale Spring is located on the southern outskirts of the City of Ruidoso Downs, in the Rio Ruidoso valley on the east side of the Sacramento Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. The spring discharges from the Permian Yeso Formation, which is part of the ...
The Geologic Map of the Mount Taylor Volcano Area, New Mexico is a 1:36,000 compilation of six re... more The Geologic Map of the Mount Taylor Volcano Area, New Mexico is a 1:36,000 compilation of six recent NMBGMR 1:24,000 geologic quadrangles that encompass this extinct composite stratovolcano. Mount Taylor is New Mexico's second-largest volcano after the Valles Caldera in the Jemez Mountains. This timely map and accompanying report, resulting from over a decade of thorough work, synthesizes the current geologic understanding of such an important landscape feature of the state.For such a complex volcanic landform, the report provides an exhaustive description of the volcano area in an easy-to-read format. In addition to providing a detailed description of each of the map's 339 units and dikes, it documents the volcano's history and history of research, its geochemical and petrographic composition, the phases of its construction ranging from the initial to the terminal eruptions, 3.72-1.26 million years ago, and its subsequent erosion, resulting in the summit Amphitheater and its extensive apron of debris. It describes the surrounding volcanic centers, the structure of the area, and the extensive dikes and maars. After touching on the water resources, hydrothermal alteration and mineralization, and geothermal potential, the report concludes with a conceptual model of volcano evolution.
ABSTRACT RESERVATION area in the northeastern, the Pescado area in the east-central, the Dowa Yal... more ABSTRACT RESERVATION area in the northeastern, the Pescado area in the east-central, the Dowa Yalanne-Black Rock-Spring House Draw area in the central, and the Ojo Caliente area in the southwestern part of the reservation. Springs discharge from the Permian San Andres-Glorieta (Psg) aquifer, Triassic Chinle Group (c) aquifer, Triassic-Jurassic Rock Point-Zuni (r, Jz) aquifer, and interconnected Quaternary alluvium/fractured basalt (Qal/Qb) aquifers, respectively. Springs discharging from the Psg and Qal/ Qb aquifers have the highest discharge rates and are the most numerous on the reservation, and this paper is primarily focused on these two aquifers. The assessment of each spring included some or all of the following: geologic and geomorphic mapping; measurement of spring discharge; measurement of field water quality parameters; water sample collection and analysis for major cations and anions, stable isotopes and tritium; identifica-tion of the source aquifer; and preliminary assessment of flora and fauna. Springs were classified based on the classification system described in Springer et al. (2008). In the Ojo Caliente area, springs are also classified as fen-type springs (not included in the Springer et al. (2008) classification), which are fed by groundwater moving vertically upward from a confined aquifer through a confining unit. Five of the 29 springs examined during this investigation were dry at the time of the 2007-2009 field visits. Hydrogeologic Setting The Zuni Reservation lies on the south flank of the Zuni uplift at the base of the Zuni Mountains in the southeast corner of the Colorado Plateau physiographic province. The Zuni uplift is a Laramide structural feature, formed from late Cretaceous through Eocene time (Kelley, 1967; Chamberlin and Anderson, 1989). The Zuni Mountains are a granite-cored uplift, and New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, 64 th Field Conference, Geology of Route 66 Region: Flagstaff to Grants, 2013, p. 205-213 ABStrAct—Relatively high-volume springs (100-300 gpm; 6-19 l/s) discharge from the Permian San Andres-Glorieta (Psg) aquifer and interconnected Quaternary alluvium and fractured basalt (Qal/Qb) aquifers on the Zuni Reservation in west-central New Mexico. Psg springs in the Nutria area, near the recharge source in the Zuni Mountains, exhibit a mixture of modern (<5-10 year old) and pre-1952 recharge, indicating spring discharge from shallow and deep circulation systems near the mountain front. Psg springs in the Ojo Caliente area are fen-type springs that represent predominantly or entirely pre-1952 recharge. Stable isotope (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) data are consistent with high elevation, winter precipitation recharge for Nutria Psg springs and a lower elevation North Plains/Continental Divide recharge source southeast of the reservation for the Ojo Caliente springs. Alluvial springs in the Black Rock area exhibit lower-elevation, modern recharge, whereas discharge from Pescado-area alluvial springs exhibit higher-elevation, predominantly pre-1952 recharge. The recharge source for Pescado springs is likely winter precipitation in the Zuni Mountains, whereas Black Rock alluvial springs have local recharge sources on uplands within the reservation. Springs in both areas discharge from an interconnected alluvial/fractured basalt flow system. Springs discharging from the Rock Point Fm/Zuni sandstone aquifer exhibit variable recharge, with some receiving rapid recharge from winter precipitation and others receiving older recharge from summer monsoonal precipitation. Spring discharge measurements collected during 2007-2009, when compared to earlier studies by Orr (1987) and Summers (1972), suggest a generally declining trend in spring flows between 1972 and 2009. This apparent decline in spring discharge could be due to increased groundwater diversions in the Zuni Mountains, Zuni River basin, and regionally in the Psg aquifer, fluctuations in precipitation, variations in measurement methodologies, or a combination of these factors. Increasing spring flows after 2009 correspond to above-normal winter precipitation, particularly snow moisture content, recorded at one precipi-tation station and three snow courses in the recharge area.
Abstract Two separate hydrocarbon plumes located along the Zuzax fault near Tijeras, New Mexico h... more Abstract Two separate hydrocarbon plumes located along the Zuzax fault near Tijeras, New Mexico have migrated into both unconfined and semiconfined aquifers in the Paleozoic Abo and Madera Formations and have contaminated several domestic and commercial wells in the area. Groundwater flow beneath the site occurs in fractured sandstone and limestone beds which are separated by mudstone and shale aquitards. An extensive benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) plume and a smaller BTEX/EDC (dichloroethane) plume originate from separate locations. In both source areas, phase separated hydrocarbons (PSH) are present in perched water zones within fractured siltstone or sandstone beds. In the BTEX/MTBE source area, the perched water zone leaks into a deeper aquifer utilized by domestic and commercial water users in the area. Under the influence of down gradient pumping stresses, hydrocarbon contamination of the aquifer located below the BTEX/MTBE contaminant source at a depth of 60 to 80 feet has migrated vertically along a splay of the Zuzax fault into a semiconfined aquifer located at a depth of 110 to 190 feet below ground surface. The BTEX/MTBE contaminant plume has subsequently migrated approximately one-half mile down gradient along the northeast trending Juniper Ridge half-graben which parallels the Zuzax fault. Pumping test data and contaminant plume geometry indicate that graben bounding faults are low-permeability barriers to horizontal ground water flow and contaminant migration, but likely act as pathways for vertical ground water flow and contaminant migration. Pumping tests conducted on wells completed into each aquifer show strong boundary effects from graben bounding faults, exhibit dual porosity characteristics, and demonstrate communication between the upper two aquifers. Hydraulic conductivity (k) values for the upper two aquifers range from fracture k values of 110 ft/day and matrix k of 12 ft/day for upper Aquifer A to a fracture k of 40 ft/day and a matrix k of 1 ft/day for underlying Aquifer B. Fracture k of lowermost Aquifer C is 15 ft/day; matrix k could not be determined from the Aquifer C pumping test. The aquifer test data demonstrate a decrease in fracture and matrix k with depth. Estimated solute transport rates are 3 ft/day for Aquifer A and 1.2 ft/ day for Aquifer B.
ABSTRACT.—Hale Spring is located on the southern outskirts of the City of Ruidoso Downs, in the R... more ABSTRACT.—Hale Spring is located on the southern outskirts of the City of Ruidoso Downs, in the Rio Ruidoso valley on the east side of the Sacramento Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. The spring discharges from the Permian Yeso Formation, which is part of the ...
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