1967 Map of Ice Caves SE

About this map

Lava flows dominate this 1967 field survey of the high desert of Valencia County, revealing the stark geological transitions of the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. The most prominent feature is the extensive reach of The Malpais, an expansive area of dark, solidified rock that occupies the center and southern portions of the quadrangle. Interspersed within these volcanic fields are lighter geographic pockets, most notably the aptly named Hole-In-The-Wall in the northeastern quadrant. This feature represents an island of older ground or soil surrounded by younger flows, creating a distinct topographical break in the landscape. The map illustrates how these volcanic formations dictated the location of unimproved dirt roads and trails, which wind around the edges of the jagged terrain rather than cutting directly through it.