Near Carrizozo in Lincoln County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Malpais

Valley of Fires

Photographed by Gregory Walker, November 23, 2010

1. Malpais Marker

Inscription. Spanish explorers called this extensive lava flow malpais, or badlands. The river of lava that flowed down this "Valley of Fires" erupted from a volcano some 7 miles north of here about 1000 years ago. Extending through the valley for 44 miles, the malpais averages 3 miles in width. This ropy type of lava is called "pahoehoe."

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 33° 39.563′ N, 105° 53.415′ W. Marker is near Carrizozo, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. It is on U.S. 380 at milepost 64, 1½ miles west of U.S. 54, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carrizozo NM 88301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carrizozo (approx. half a mile away); Carrizozo Woman's Club (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Carrizozo Woman's Club (approx. 1.3 miles away); End of the Line for the End of a Train (approx. 1.4 miles away); Carrizozo History (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. 1½ miles

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away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Carrizozo (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carrizozo.

Malpais Marker and lava flow in distance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, November 23, 2010

2. Malpais Marker and lava flow in distance.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 24, 2011

3. Malpais Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,278 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 3. submitted on August 9, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.