All References used can be found at the bottom of the page
W. Scott Baldridge, Kenneth H. Olsen (1989)
An introduction to the Rio Grande Rift area. The authors describes the geology of the rift, the lithosphere structure and extension as well as the geologic history of the area. The rift extends from Central Colorado to Northern Mexico. The rift is considered a "Classic" rift that gives insight into the processes found in lithosphere extension.
Bryan C. Chakoumakos and Gregory R. Lumpkin (1990)
The Harding Mine is located in Taos County, New Mexico. The mine consists of the Harding Mine Pegmatite and was mined commercially for lepidolite, beryl, spodumene and tantalum-niobium minerals. The Harding pegmatite magma crystallization is determined by 1) the experimental determined Iiquidus, solidus and phase assemblages for the pegmatite, 2) isochores for quartz and beryl from the various lithologic units of the pegmatite, 3) the conditions of metamorphism of the surrounding rock, and 4) pegmatite mineral equilibria.
Memorial of Arthur Montgomery, 1909-1999
Rodney C. Ewing (2000)
Arthur (Art) Montgomery played a pivotal role in the preservation of the Harding pegmatite mine. The article details Art Montgomery's life and contributions to geology
Siobhan P. Fackelman, Jared R. Morrow, Christian Koeberl, Thorton H. McElvain (2008)
Shatter cones were recently discovered in Paleoproterozoic crystalline rocks 8 km northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. The shatter cones are mapped, described and analyzed, and have given robust evidence of a previously unknown impact event. These cones resemble previously described shock induced melt features. The cone distribution and size suggest the the Santa Fe impact creator was 6-13 km in diameter.
Extended megadroughts in the southwestern United States during Pleistocene interglacials
Peter J. Fawcett, Josef P. Werne, R. Scott Anderson et al (2011)
The Southwestern United States is experiencing more frequent drought through anthropogenic climate change. Drought previously experienced in this area were shorter and different from the predicted future droughts. It is believed that the Southwest US will experience 'dust-bowl-like' conditions. Studies of the Holocene records show that without anthropogenic forcing the regions should be entering a cooler and wetter phase, like the areas found further north of the Southwest area.
Matthew P. Golombek (1981)
The central Velarde graben is the active sub-basin of the Española basin section of the Rio Grande rift. The fault scarp associated with this sub-basin cuts thought the 1.1 MA Bandolier Tuff. The geometry of the fault is fairly simple allowing for the calculations of extension rate and fault dips. The fault dip is ~60°, and the extension could be as great as ~0.07 mm/yr. This estimation is much larger that the previously reported 0.03 mm/yr in the area.
Chapter 7 In Rare-Element Pegmatites
The Harding mine (Dixon New Mexico) has been mined for beryl, spodumene, and microlite between 1950-1958. The mine was originally explored and described through core drilling by the US Bureau of Mines and examinations by the US Geological Survey. The pegmatite cataloged during this process became a standard for Lithium rich rare metal pegmatites. Other attributes of the Harding Mine and Pegmatite are discussed, including: the geology of the mine and the area; the history; the minerals found; and the significance of the mine.
The American Mineralogist: The Genesis of Pegmatites
I. Occurrence and Origin of Giant Crystals
Richard H. Jahns (1953)
A pegmatite is a highly crystaline, intrusive igneous rock. Some pegmatites can have individual crystals of massive size (feet long, pounds heavy, etc.). The minerals beryl, feldspar, quartz and micas can form these giant crystals (found in the Harding Mine Pegmatite). Pegmatites are unique and very important in studying chemical and physical properties of crystal formation and state.
The Harding Mine Taos County New Mexico
Richard H. Jahns (1976)
The Harding Mine is in Taos County, New Mexico and contains substantial (commercial) amounts of beryl, lepidolite, spodumene, and tantalum-niobium mineral. The mine itself is a location of many scientific studies as well as a tourist attraction.
Geology of Canon De San Diego, Southwestern Jemez Mountains, North-Central New Mexico
Shari A. Kelley, G. Robert Osburn, Kirt A. Kempter (2007)
Cañon San Diego provides an important window into the Proterozoic. Portions of ocean shorelines and continental-scale river systems are preserved in the late Paleozoic to middle Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the canyon.
The Harding Pegmatìte Mine property has been donated to the University of New Mexico by Dr. Arthur Montgomery. It was originally found an prospected for gold, unsuccessfully. It was later mined for lepidolite, beryl and other commercially used minerals.
Horton Newson, Wolf Elston, Eric Tegtmeier (2008)
A mud slide over the NM 475 road, revealed shatter cones in a schist. Shatter cones are uniquely formed by massive of impact-induced hypervelocity shock waves. These particular shatter cones were discovered by Tim McEilvain while walking his dog.
Margaret Anne Rogers, Barry S Kues, Fraser Goff, et al. (1996)
A summary of the Geological Society 47th Field Conference, centered in Jemez mountains region. The trip spanned from Bernallilo to Los Alamos and contains many stops visited by our field trip including, rock formations, ash flows and the Valles Caldera.
First-day road log, from Santa Fe to Nambe, Cundiyo, Espanola, Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch
Gary A. Smith, Paul W. Bauer, Spencer G. Lucas, et al. (1995)
A summary of the Geological Society’s 46th Field Conference, centered in the Santa Fe region. The trip ranged from Santa Fe to the north to Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. The conference visits the Rio Grande Rift area and gives a detailed geological overview of the area.
Santa Fe Impact Crater Discovery: A Series of Fortunate Events
Annika Wallendahi (2011)
Tim McElvain discovered many shatter cones in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. Shatter cones are uniquely formed by massive of impact-induced hypervelocity shock waves. The shatter cones discovered in this area
John Williams (2011)
The climate of Southwestern North America is dry and is projected to become dryer. The area is prone to drought and is likely to experience more frequent and longer lasting drought in the future. This dryness will be caused by increases in evapo-transpiration and temperature, as a result of anthropogenic climate warming.
