Valles Caldera: A Geologic History

by Fraser Goff

The Valles Caldera consists of a twelve-mile-wide collapsed volcanic crater and more than ten postcollapse volcanic domes in New Mexico's Jemez Mountains. For over a century, it was safeguarded within the 89,000-acre Baca Ranch. In the year 2000, Congress passed the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, creating the Valles Caldera Trust to purchase the ranch and create a nine-member board of trustees responsible for the protection and development of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. With special permission, qualified geologists interested in volcanic processes and hydrothermal systems have been allowed to conduct research on the preserve. One of those volcanologists, Fraser Goff, collaborated with the Valles Caldera Trust to provide an accessible scientific overview of the caldera's geologic wonders. Presented in two parts, Valles Caldera first offers a summary of significant geologic events that have taken place in the Valles Caldera area. Then Goff presents the geology, volcanology, and geothermal characteristics of the Caldera and the Jemez volcanic field. Geologic terms and names unfamiliar to all but professional geologists are defined in a summarizing glossary.

Genres: Geology

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2009

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exemplary popular-science guidebook

Geologist Fraser Goff spent most of his career at Los Alamos (which is built on volcanic tuffs erupted from the Valles volcano) and has written many scientific publications on the area. Not only is he well-qualified, he's a good writer. He does a very nice job of including explanations for readers without a geologic background, and geologist-readers will find plenty of meat here too. This is not an easy balance-point to find. His book should be accessible to almost anyone interested in the great, dormant volcano here. Goff includes a glossary of geologic terms for the newcomer, and a substantial bibliography for those who may want to dig deeper into the geology.

Goff's book got an exceptionally fine production from his publisher, the UNM Press. The book features many color illustrations, including clear, sharp color photos and colorful, well-drafted geologic maps and cross-sections, all clearly-captioned. The book is beautifully designed by Kathleen Sparks, who also did the cover and many of the illustrations. This is a beautiful book. I recommend it highly for anyone visiting the Valles Caldera National Preserve, and for those interested in the geology of northern New Mexico.

[Teresa Mayfield-Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting geologic history of Valles Caldera. Easy read and also would be an excellent companion on a trip through the area. So many resources for further investigation in the bibliography/further reading. Maps and drawings really help describe the geology. Make me want to explore the Jemez more!

[Richard Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by the former chair of the department of earth and planetary sciences at the University of New Mexico, who described it as an accessible book for readers who do not have much background in the study of geology. The book lives up to that description. It is filled with photographs, maps, diagrams and cartoons, There is a glossary of technical terms pertaining to volcanology and an ample index, making it easy to go back and review previously discussed material. Although written for beginners, the book is rich in information that takes time to absorb. The book is short and worth reading through in its entirety and then keeping on hand for reference. To anyone familiar with the Jemez Mountains and the Valles Caldera who wants to have some idea of the turbulent history of the piece of Earth's crust on which these mountains are situated, this book provides an excellent starting point. I personally have loved for decades the scenic views that this area provides, but now I look upon those views with a better understanding of how the mountains and canyons were formed. This added knowledge has served to magnify my love and appreciation of this part of the Earth.