A Guide to the Geology of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

Southern Arizona and northern Sonora provide one of the most beautiful and dangerous landscape in the desert southwest. As described in this colorful and well-illustrated text, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is full of splendid geologic features. Along Ajo Mountain Drive volcanic rocks rise high above alluvial fans that display excellent examples of desert pavement and desert varnish. Join Bezy, Gutmann and Haxel as they explore the volcanic terrain of the Pinacate Biosphere...
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Southern Arizona and northern Sonora provide one of the most beautiful and dangerous landscape in the desert southwest. As described in this colorful and well-illustrated text, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is full of splendid geologic features. Along Ajo Mountain Drive volcanic rocks rise high above alluvial fans that display excellent examples of desert pavement and desert varnish. Join Bezy, Gutmann and Haxel as they explore the volcanic terrain of the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve. As one of the youngest volcanic fields in western North America, the Pinacate¿s are home to hundreds of cinder cones, the Sierra Pinacate shield volcano, maar craters and tuff rings. The presence of black basalt lava flows evokes an otherworldly moonscape. The enumerated index map will assist the first time visitor in tracking down the most representative vent types.