Amazing Rock formation “Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks” – A Great Geological Monument in New Mexico
Kasha Katuwe rock is a national monument and unique group of rock formations, located in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains, north-central New Mexico. Tent Rocks is a land of spectacular and bizarre rock shapes. It covers 16.6 square km of area and a range of elevations between 1,700 to 2,060 meters. The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument offering an opportunity to observe, study, and experience the geologic processes that shape natural landscapes. It is for foot travel only and contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and geologic observation.
Geology
The tent rock trail is About 40 Km. southwest of Santa Fe, USA. This area has a visually stunning piece of Geographical landscape. Kasha Katuwe rock formation located in Pajarito Plateau. This Plateau is formed by Volcanic Activity in the region. Research says that Jemez Volcanic mountain or Pajarito Plateau has been active for the past 15 million years ago. The Kasha Katuwe tent rock is southeast of the Valles Caldera. The massive pyroclastic eruption from the Valles caldera buried the surrounding landscape in debris. The Soft, spongy Rock looking in the region known as pumice and small rock fragments called Tuff. This Tuff settled across the landscape for miles beyond the caldera. Over a million Time period weathering and erosion Carved slot Canton and tent Rock.
The cone-shaped tent rock formations vary in height from a few meters to 30 meters. The uniform layering of volcanic material shows bands of grey color interspersed with red and pink-colored rock along the cliff. Over the years, wind and water cut into these deposits, creating distinctive pointy hoodoos as well as the sinuous slot canyon. Finally, it was contouring inward ravines into smooth semicircles.
Also Read- The Geographical landmark for Astronauts- ‘Eye of Sahara’ and A mysterious structure in earth
Apache Tears
Apache tears are small rounded pieces of obsidian. They are very common at tent rocks. They are actually eroded out of the gravels in the Tuff. When groundwater moving through the sediment hydrates the glass composites converting the black obsidian to gray Perlite. However, when the Perlite forms around a composite that wasn’t saturated with water. It creates a Shell, with a Core of Obsidian. After that, a Teardrop-shaped Obsidian piece is exposed into the Drainage.
Hiking
Rocks Hike is a fantastic adventure; it gives a spectacular view to see the unique geologic formation known as Tent Rocks. It is one of the best hikes in New Mexico. It’s only about 3-mile one-way moderate loop trail through a slot canyon with hoodoos, and striated rock formations seem cones or teepees. Kasha-Katuwe means “white cliffs.” The monument includes a National Recreational Trail for hiking only. The Trail contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, geologic observation, and plant identification. Both segments of the trail begin at the designated Monument area.
The first Trail is Cave Loop Trail winds across an open area at the foot of the cliffs, giving close-up views of cones, hoodoos, and gullies while the more strenuous, and more varied Slot Canyon Trail forks off near the far side of the loop, following an initially very narrow ravine then climbing more steeply to a viewpoint above the formations.
