A Geoscience Digital Image Library
A Geoscience Digital Image Library
| Title | Kilbourne Hole, Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Description | Kilbourne Hole is a maar volcanic crater, located 30 miles west of the Franklin mountains of El Paso, Texas, in the Potrillo Volcanic Field of Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The hole is a rare example of volcanic action without a mountainous rim. The theory of formation is that a volcanic eruption occurs in the presence of ground waters, beneath the surface of the earth. As the hot lava and magma encounter the waters, a huge bubble of steam is produced, which blows out a large crater; thus, it is not necessary for the lava and magma to build up a mountainous deposit. The crater is thought to be 80,000 years old. It is a very well known geologic site, especially because there are many mantle and crustal xenoliths sitting in loose sediment on the surface. This view shows the west rim of the hole. |
| Geologic province | Potrillo Volcanic Field |
| Location | USA ▹ New Mexico ▹ Dona Ana. Near El Paso. |
| Photographer | Dexter Perkins. 2002. |
| Key words | Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, Maar, volcano, xenolith |
| Tech details | 437 KB |
| GeoDIL number | 3114 |
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