San Diego Canyon

Description

San Diego Canyon in New Mexico extends from Jemez Pueblo north through Jemez Springs to La Cueva. The scenic drive along New Mexico state road 4 runs the length of the canyon, with towering red sandstone walls in the southernmost section. This photograph was made in July 2018 on a bright, sunny day with beautiful skies. The setting is right across the road from the Walatowa Visitor Center and Convenience Store. Driving in from the south, the view appears almost suddenly as the road turns and enters this section of the canyon. It’s an unexpected and impressive site. The vibrant color of the red sandstone cliffs and canyon floor are even more saturated after a rain storm. The red sandstone and clay in this geographic layer also appears in other nearby locations.
At one time in early geologic history, New Mexico was covered by an ocean. This is why sedimentary rock like the red sandstone can be found on top of igneous rock in mountainous locations. The location of this photograph is adjacent to the Valles Caldera National Preserve; a super volcano millions of years ago that spewed pyroclast over a 25 or 30 mile radius around the epicenter. A satellite view of the Valles Caldera area shows a radius of canyons and valleys around the epicenter of the volcano. San Diego Canyon appears to be the largest and deepest of all of them, which explains why the red sandstone is exposed.