Structure and metamorphism in the Precambrian Cibola Gneiss and Tijeras Greenstone, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
— James R. Connolly

Tijeras Canyon is located approximately 21 km east of downtown Albuquerque and is traversed by U.S. Highway 66 and Interstate 40 (I-40). The northeast-striking, subvertical Tijeras fault juxtaposes two mid-Proterozoic age metamorphic terranes of contrasting structural style and lithology. The metamorphic and structural history of these terranes was the subject of a master's thesis by the author. This paper summarizes parts of this thesis, and readers interested in complete presentation of the data and conclusions contained here are referred to Connolly (1981). 

 

This work is based on detailed geologic mapping (generalized in fig. 1), examination of over 200 thin sections, meso- and microscopic petrofabric analysis, and electron microprobe and bulk chemical analyses.