2023 Map of La Chata Crater

About this map

La Chata Crater sits at the center of this Mora County landscape, a distinctive volcanic landmark defining the high plains terrain north of the Turkey Mountains. The drainage patterns here are dictated by the presence of these uplands, with Gallinas Creek and Ciruela Creek cutting through the southern half of the sheet. To the southeast, the land rises again toward the flat-topped Jarosa Mesa. This 2023 survey illustrates a sparsely populated region primarily characterized by its geological features and watercourses like Arroyo Jarosa. The transition from the volcanic crater to the surrounding mesas provides a clear look at the local topography as it exists in the 21st century.