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2017 Map of La Mesita Negra SE

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of La Mesita Negra SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Petroglyph National Monument dominates the northeastern corner of this landscape, where the basalt escarpments of the West Mesa meet the expanding western reaches of Albuquerque. This modern topographic study shows a transition between the volcanic terrain and residential development. Arterial roads like Central Ave NW and Rio Bravo Blvd push westward from the city center, framing the geometric grid of planned streets such as Sunset Gardens Rd SW and Eucariz Ave SW.

The southern portion of the map is defined by the high, open expanse of Pajarito Mesa, where the land is carved by natural drainages including South Rinconada Arroyo and Ladera Arroyo. The infrastructure of a growing New Mexico metro area is evident in the planned path of Paso Del Volcan and the network of powerlines crossing the high desert. This detail allows for the study of how modern neighborhoods like those along Tierra Pintada Blvd NW interface with the protected cultural and geological sites of the monument.