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2013 Map of Ice Caves

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Ice Caves
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

The Continental Divide traverses this high-altitude volcanic landscape, marking a topographical ridge where the drainage of western New Mexico splits. Most of the terrain is protected by the El Malpais National Monument and the Cibola National Forest, preserving a remarkable concentration of cinder cones and lava tubes. Significant geologic features include Bandera Crater, Lava Crater, and Twin Craters, which reflect the area's intense volcanic history.

Evidence of the unique subterranean environment is found at the Ice Caves near Cerro Bandera, where cold air is trapped within lava tubes. The map also delineates several named pits and clearings within the basalt flows, such as Hole-In-The-Wall and Lost Woman Crater. Human infrastructure is limited to State Rte 53, which provides the primary access through The Malpais and past landmarks like El Calderon and Cerro Candelaria.