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A Geoscience Digital Image Library

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TitleSill containing mantle xenoliths, Elephant Butte, New Mexico
DescriptionThis interesting basalt unit (dark layer) is about 1 meter thick. It contains abundant xenoliths of different lithologies. The most common are (mantle) lherzolites, and (crustal) granulites. The basalt cuts across the apparent bedding in the surrounding country rock, but has been described as a flow in some literature. Pocket knife for scale.
Geologic provinceRio Grande Rift
LocationUSA ▹ New Mexico. Near Truth or Consequences. Roadcut on the south side of New Mexico Highway 51, just south of Elephant Butte Dam.
PhotographerDexter Perkins. 2003-02-16.
Key wordsElephant Butte, xenolith, New Mexico
Tech details950 KB. Outcrop. Canon Powershot S40.
GeoDIL number2977