Valley of Fires in El Malpais

It was requested from another Rainer that I do something about New Mexico. (My home State) So the info. below is what I chose to do. Although I could do many articles as my family homestead there back in the 1800's on a beautiful 3,000 acre ranch in Capitan NM. (Home of Smokey the Bear)

What I chose to write about is the Malpais as I grew up remembering them. This is an area of New Mexico near Carirzozo developed by Volcanic activity. As a small child I remember driving through it and even stopping and picking up small volcanic rocks to take home. For some reason this all stuck in my mind. I also remember that in the early 60's a group of high school kids climbing up the volcano and setting fire to a bunch of old tires. Causing a lot of black smoke and some disturbance in the small town of Carrizozo! Ha! Anyway if your ever traveling through New Mexico perhaps you can detour and go through the Park. 

Valley of Fires in "El Malpais (Spanish for badlands)"  these badlands are one of the best examples of a recent lava flow in the continental U.S. They were formed about 2000-3000 years ago when lava poured out of McCartys Crater.

The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow, a BLM Wilderness Study Area. The lava flow is between 1,500 and 2,000 years old, making it the one of the youngest such flows in the continental United States. It extends from Little Black Peak south into the Tularosa Basin for 44 miles. The flow is between 4 and 6 miles wide and the lava is 160 feet deep at its thickest point. A surprising number and variety of plants and animals thrive in the rugged landscape of the flow.

http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/el_malpais_lavabeds/national_monument.html

http://www.nps.gov/elma

http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/tour/landmarks/carrizozo/home.html

For those in New Mexico relocating to the Austin Area - Please keep me in mind as a realtor that cares.

Eloise this posting was for you!