Paradise Hills Civic in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Piedras Marcadas Trail
Stop #1
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 26, 2021
1. Piedras Marcadas Trail Marker
Piedras Marcadas Trail
About 200,000 years ago a series of volcanic eruptions began to create this slope of eroded volcanic boulders. The first two fissure eruptions yielded extensive amounts of liquid lava which flowed naturally down-slope, east towards the Rio Grande valley. The following four eruptions produced thicker lava flows that eventually blocked the volcanic vents allowing lava to accumulate and create the volcanic cones, called the Three Sisters. This 17-mile volcanic escarpment is known today as the edge of Albuquerque's West Mesa.
The volcanic rock produced by the eruptions is basalt. Sometimes basalt has many little holes in it called vesicles. Vesicular basalt is a product of gases escaping from the lava before it cools and hardens. Over thousands of years the exposed surface of basalt darkens in color due to precipitation, extreme temperatures, airborne particles, and action by microorgan- isms which cause the metals and minerals to oxidize or rust. This thin layer of oxidation is called desert varnish.
Stop #1
Distance Walked: 0.26 miles (0.4 km)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 35° 11.307′ N, 106° 41.378′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Piedras Marcadas Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Piedras Marcadas Trail (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Piedras Marcadas Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Piedras Marcadas Canyon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mesa Point Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Mesa Point Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away); Macaw Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Macaw Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 26, 2021
2. Piedras Marcadas Trail Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 26, 2021
3. Petroglyphs near the Piedras Marcadas Trail Marker #1
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
