New Mexico Geological Society
Fall Field Conference Guidebook - 53
Geology of White Sands
Virgil Lueth, Katherine A. Giles, Spencer G. Lucas, Barry S. Kues, Robert G. Myers, and Dana Ulmer-Scholle, eds, 2002, 362 pages.
In 1942 the ranchers and miners living on the roughly 3200 square mile area that was destined to become White Sands Missile Range, leased their land to the United States Government in order to establish the Alamogordo Bombing Range. On July 9, 1945 Whites Sands Missile Range (WSMR)) was formally established and on July 16 the first atomic bomb was tested at the Trinity Site on the north end of the range. The events of that day would change the course of history for this area in New Mexico and for the entire World. The field trip and guidebook cover an extremely wide range of geologic topics. These topics include a visit to the Proterozoic basement, an overview of nearly the entire Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic stratigraphy, Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Laramide and Rio Grande rift tectonics, coal and mineral deposits, eolian and soil processes of White Sands, and volcanic processes of the anomalously long Carrizozo lava flow. WSMR not only has an incredibly rich geologic history, but the human history of the area has served as the inspiration for many novels, fodder for folklore, and instigation for treasure hunts. In the course of our geologically oriented traverse of the area, we will be fortunate to visit historic sites ranging from the Native Americans who left the petroglyphs that we'll view at Three Rivers, to the testing of the first atomic bomb at the Trinity Site that brought us into the Atomic Age. Our journey across the Tularosa Basin and through Rhodes Canyon and Mockingbird Gap will take us past many structures abandoned by the ranching and milling communities of the past and will trace the rare passages through the San Andres Mountains that were used by the Spanish and early settlers in the region.
ISBN: 9781584608851
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Table of Contents:
Note —Downloads of the papers below are free. Road logs, mini-papers, and some other sections of recent guidebooks are only available in print.
Front Matter: (includes Dedication, President's Message, & Conference Organizer's Message)
Download (529 KB PDF)
Roadlogs: (each includes listed mini-papers)
First-day road log, Alamogordo to Tularosa, Mockingbird Gap, Trinity Site, Oscuro, and Three Rivers (7.08 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas, Virgil W. Lueth, Barry S. Kues, Robert G. Myers, and Katherine A. Giles, pp. 1-28. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.1 [SUMMARY]
— Spencer G. Lucas, Virgil W. Lueth, Barry S. Kues, Robert G. Myers, and Katherine A. Giles, pp. 1-28. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.1 [SUMMARY]
Mini-papers:
History of the geochronology of the Carrizozo lava flows
— Nelia W. Dunbar, pp. 6-8.
— Nelia W. Dunbar, pp. 6-8.
Copper glance-Estey City's brief moment in the sun
— Robert W. Eveleth, pp. 9-10.
— Robert W. Eveleth, pp. 9-10.
M. L. Thompson's Pennsylvanian stratigraphy in the Oscura Mountains
— Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 15-16.
— Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 15-16.
Lake Trinity
— Robert H. Weber, pp. 17-18.
— Robert H. Weber, pp. 17-18.
The Sierra Blanca Basin
— Steven M. Cather, pp. 21.
— Steven M. Cather, pp. 21.
Sierra Blanca coal field, Lincoln and Otero counties, New Mexico
— Gretchen K. Hoffman, pp. 21-24.
— Gretchen K. Hoffman, pp. 21-24.
The Three Rivers Petroglyph site, Otero County, New Mexico
— Virginia T. McLemore, pp. 26-27.
— Virginia T. McLemore, pp. 26-27.
Second-day road log, from Alamogordo to Tularosa, Rhodes Canyon, Lake Lucero, and return to Alamogordo (6.35 MB PDF)
— Katherine A. Giles, Spencer G. Lucas, Virgil W. Lueth, and Robert G. Myers, pp. 29-51. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.29 [SUMMARY]
— Katherine A. Giles, Spencer G. Lucas, Virgil W. Lueth, and Robert G. Myers, pp. 29-51. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.29 [SUMMARY]
Mini-papers:
Forgotten by most-remebered by a few, the Good Fortune Camp, San Andres Mountains, Sierra County, New Mexico
— Robert W. Eveleth, pp. 30-32.
— Robert W. Eveleth, pp. 30-32.
Enigmatic oolitic ironstone in the Cambro-Ordovician Bliss Sandstone
— Greg H. Mack, pp. 35.
— Greg H. Mack, pp. 35.
Early Ordovician El Paso Formation and Late Ordovician Montoya Formation, Rhodes Canyon
— Michael C. Pope, pp. 35-36. [ABSTRACT]
— Michael C. Pope, pp. 35-36. [ABSTRACT]
Upper Pennsylvanian section in Rhodes Canyon
— G. S. (Lynn) Soreghan, pp. 39-40.
— G. S. (Lynn) Soreghan, pp. 39-40.
Playa lake shorelines and the Holocene history of the White Sands dune field
— Richard P. Langford, pp. 45-47.
— Richard P. Langford, pp. 45-47.
Fossil molluscan fauna from Pleistocene Lake Otero, Tularosa Basin, southern New Mexico
— Mark E. Gordon, Gary S. Morgan, and Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 47-48.
— Mark E. Gordon, Gary S. Morgan, and Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 47-48.
Quaternary flooding of the Tualrosa Basin? - implications of a soil-water-chloride profile
— William J. Stone, pp. 49-50.
— William J. Stone, pp. 49-50.
Third-day road log, from Alamogordo to White Sands, San Agustin Pass, Organ quarry, and Tortugas Mountain (4.70 MB PDF)
— Virgil W. Lueth, Spencer G. Lucas, Katherine A. Giles, Barry S. Kues, and James Witcher, pp. 53-73. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.53 [SUMMARY]
— Virgil W. Lueth, Spencer G. Lucas, Katherine A. Giles, Barry S. Kues, and James Witcher, pp. 53-73. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.53 [SUMMARY]
Mini-papers:
Geoarcheology of the Jarilla Mountain fans and adjacent Tularosa Basin floor
— William H. Doleman, pp. 60-62.
— William H. Doleman, pp. 60-62.
Roadlog References:
Download (1.56 MB PDF)
Papers:
Shallow geophysical study of the Grapevine Canyon area, eastern Tularosa Basin: implications for groundwater resources (1.56 MB PDF)
— Wayne L. Belzer, Kate C. Miller, and Steven Harder, pp. 79-84. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.79 [ABSTRACT]
— Wayne L. Belzer, Kate C. Miller, and Steven Harder, pp. 79-84. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.79 [ABSTRACT]
Lower Paleozoic isopach maps of southern New Mexico and their implictions for Laramide and ancestral Rocky Mountain tectonism (4.98 MB PDF)
— Steven M. Cather and Richard W. Harrison, pp. 85-101. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.85 [ABSTRACT]
— Steven M. Cather and Richard W. Harrison, pp. 85-101. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.85 [ABSTRACT]
Evidence for Pennsylvanian transpression from preliminary kinematic fault analysis in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico (1.23 MB PDF)
— Abby W. Howell, Eric A. Erslev, and Steven M. Cather, pp. 103-106. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.103 [ABSTRACT]
— Abby W. Howell, Eric A. Erslev, and Steven M. Cather, pp. 103-106. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.103 [ABSTRACT]
Paleoseismicity of the Alamogordo fault along the Sacramento Mountains, southern Rio Grande rift, New Mexico (3.41 MB PDF)
— D. J. Koning and F. J. Pazzaglia, pp. 107-119. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.107 [ABSTRACT]
— D. J. Koning and F. J. Pazzaglia, pp. 107-119. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.107 [ABSTRACT]
New precision topographic measurements of the Carrizzozo and McCarty's basalt flows, New Mexico (2.06 MB PDF)
— James R. Zimbelman and Andrew K. Johnston, pp. 121-127. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.121 [ABSTRACT]
— James R. Zimbelman and Andrew K. Johnston, pp. 121-127. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.121 [ABSTRACT]
A stratigraphic history of the Tularosa Basin area, south-central New Mexico (5.75 MB PDF)
— William D. Raatz, pp. 141-157. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.141 [ABSTRACT]
— William D. Raatz, pp. 141-157. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.141 [ABSTRACT]
Fluctuations in Late Pennsylvanian (Virgilian) seawater chemistry inferred from submarine cements of phylloid algal mounds, western Orogrande Basin (New Mexico) (2.99 MB PDF)
— Shane C. Seals, Gerilyn S. Soreghan, and R. D. Elmore, pp. 167-177. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.167 [ABSTRACT]
— Shane C. Seals, Gerilyn S. Soreghan, and R. D. Elmore, pp. 167-177. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.167 [ABSTRACT]
Type section of the Upper Carboniferous Bursum Formation, south-central New Mexico, and the Bursumian stage (3.96 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas, Karl Krainer, and Barry S. Kues, pp. 179-192. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.179 [ABSTRACT]
— Spencer G. Lucas, Karl Krainer, and Barry S. Kues, pp. 179-192. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.179 [ABSTRACT]
Invertebrate paleontology of the Bursum Formation type section (latest Pennsylvanian), Socorro County, New Mexico (5.00 MB PDF)
— Barry S. Kues, pp. 193-209. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.193 [ABSTRACT]
— Barry S. Kues, pp. 193-209. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.193 [ABSTRACT]
Permian stratigraphy in the Jarilla Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico (2.92 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas and Karl Krainer, pp. 211-222. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.211 [ABSTRACT]
— Spencer G. Lucas and Karl Krainer, pp. 211-222. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.211 [ABSTRACT]
Stratigraphy and correlation of the Lower Permian Hueco Group in the southern San Andres Mountains, Dona Ana County, New Mexico (4.80 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas, Karl Krainer, and Barry S. Kues, pp. 223-240. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.223 [ABSTRACT]
— Spencer G. Lucas, Karl Krainer, and Barry S. Kues, pp. 223-240. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.223 [ABSTRACT]
Lower Wolfcampian conglomerate in the southern Caballo Mountains, Sierra County, New Mexico: stratigraphy, correlation, and implications for late Pennsylvanian-early Permian tectonics (2.43 MB PDF)
— Timothy F. Lawton, Katherine A. Giles, Greg H. Mack, David S. Singleton, and Alan D. Thompson, pp. 257-265. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.257 [ABSTRACT]
— Timothy F. Lawton, Katherine A. Giles, Greg H. Mack, David S. Singleton, and Alan D. Thompson, pp. 257-265. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.257 [ABSTRACT]
Pleistocene vertebrates from the White Sands Missile Range, southern New Mexico (3.10 MB PDF)
— Gary S. Morgan and Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 267-276. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.267 [ABSTRACT]
— Gary S. Morgan and Spencer G. Lucas, pp. 267-276. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.267 [ABSTRACT]
The Otero Formation, Pleistocene lacustrine strata in the Tularosa Basin, southern New Mexico (2.20 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas and John W. Hawley, pp. 277-283. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.277 [ABSTRACT]
— Spencer G. Lucas and John W. Hawley, pp. 277-283. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.277 [ABSTRACT]
Mammal footprints from the upper Pleistocene of the Tularosa Basin, Dona Ana County, New Mexico (1.11 MB PDF)
— Spencer G. Lucas, Gary S. Morgan, John W. Hawley, David W. Love, and Robert G. Myers, pp. 285-288. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.285 [ABSTRACT]
— Spencer G. Lucas, Gary S. Morgan, John W. Hawley, David W. Love, and Robert G. Myers, pp. 285-288. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.285 [ABSTRACT]
Alluvial stratigraphy along the southern Sacramento Mountains, N.M., and inferences regarding Late Quaternary paleoclimate, soils, and sedimentation (3.80 MB PDF)
— D. J. Koning, F. J. Pazzaglia, and R. Smartt, pp. 289-302. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.289 [ABSTRACT]
— D. J. Koning, F. J. Pazzaglia, and R. Smartt, pp. 289-302. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.289 [ABSTRACT]
Apparent age of ground water near the southeastern margin of the Tularosa Basin, Otero County, New Mexico (1.65 MB PDF)
— G. F. Huff, pp. 303-307. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.303 [ABSTRACT]
— G. F. Huff, pp. 303-307. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.303 [ABSTRACT]
Conceptual model of the Bolson-fill aquifer, Soledad Canyon area, Dona Ana County, New Mexico (2.87 MB PDF)
— Cheryl A. Naus, pp. 309-318. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.309 [ABSTRACT]
— Cheryl A. Naus, pp. 309-318. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.309 [ABSTRACT]
Investigation of hydrothermal sources in the Rio Grande rift region (1.68 MB PDF)
— Bartlomiej Rzonca and Dirk Schulze-Makuch, pp. 319-324. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.319 [ABSTRACT]
— Bartlomiej Rzonca and Dirk Schulze-Makuch, pp. 319-324. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.319 [ABSTRACT]
Evidence for the discharge of hydrothermal water into Lake Lucero, White Sands National Monument, southern New Mexico (1.57 MB PDF)
— Dirk Schulze-Makuch, pp. 325-329. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.325 [ABSTRACT]
— Dirk Schulze-Makuch, pp. 325-329. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.325 [ABSTRACT]
Petroleum geology of the McGregor Range, Otero County, New Mexico (8.34 MB PDF)
— Ronald F. Broadhead, pp. 331-338. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.331 [ABSTRACT]
— Ronald F. Broadhead, pp. 331-338. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.331 [ABSTRACT]
Mineral resources of the northern and central San Andres Mountains, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (14.02 MB PDF)
— Virginia T. McLemore, pp. 339-352. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.339 [ABSTRACT]
— Virginia T. McLemore, pp. 339-352. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.339 [ABSTRACT]
White Sands, New Mexico, as part of an image-processing laboratory (3.55 MB PDF)
— Philip C. Goodell and Habes Ghrefat, pp. 353-355. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.353 [ABSTRACT]
— Philip C. Goodell and Habes Ghrefat, pp. 353-355. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.353 [ABSTRACT]
The Chess Draw depression, Otero CO., New Mexico: A hydrothermally-altered, sublaccolithic, alkalic system (1.74 MB PDF)
— Philip C. Goodell, Virgil W. Lueth, and Tina C. Willsie, pp. 357-361. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.357 [ABSTRACT]
— Philip C. Goodell, Virgil W. Lueth, and Tina C. Willsie, pp. 357-361. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53.357 [ABSTRACT]
Back Matter: (usually includes a stratigraphic column and/or correlation chart)
Download (1.01 MB PDF)
Recommended Guidebook Citation:
- Lueth, Virgil; Giles, Katherine A.; Lucas, Spencer G.; Kues, Barry S.; Myers, Robert G.; Ulmer-Scholle, Dana; [eds.], 2002, Geology of White Sands, New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook, 53rd Annual Field Conference, 362 pp. ISBN: 9781584608851 https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-53