Redondo Peak
Encyclopedia
Redondo Peak is a conspicuous summit in the Jemez Mountains
of New Mexico
, in the southwestern United States
. It is located entirely within the Valles Caldera National Preserve. It is the second highest summit in the Jemez after Chicoma Mountain
. It is the most visually prominent peak in the range when viewed from the south, for example, from Albuquerque
. From many other directions it is less prominent or not visible, due to its location in the center of the Valles Caldera, well away from the Caldera's rim.
Redondo Peak is an example of the volcanic
feature known as a resurgent dome
. It was formed some time after the main caldera-forming eruptions of about 1.4 million and 1.1 million years ago, but it is not itself an eruptive feature. The summit of the mountain is composed of tuff
ejected by the more recent caldera-forming eruption, rather than of subsequent volcanic ejecta. It is forested all the way to its summit. Controversy concerning logging
practices on the mountain contributed pressure to create the Valles Caldera National Preserve, within which logging is presently restricted.
s of New Mexico and, as a result, hiking
and other recreational activities on the mountain are sharply restricted as of 2008. The summit area is occupied by a shrine
that was studied and excavated by anthropologist William Boone Douglass in the early 20th century and remained in use well into the 20th century. The shrine and its immediate surroundings are closed to visitors.
Jemez Mountains
The Jemez Mountains are a volcanic group of mountains in New Mexico, United States. The highest point in the range is Chicoma Mountain at an elevation of 11,561 feet . The town of Los Alamos and Los Alamos National Laboratory adjoin the eastern side of the range while the town of Jemez Springs...
of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, in the southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located entirely within the Valles Caldera National Preserve. It is the second highest summit in the Jemez after Chicoma Mountain
Chicoma Mountain
Chicoma Mountain is the highest point in the Jemez Mountains, a prominent mountain range in the U.S. State of New Mexico. The Tree line in this area is exceptionally high, and the mountain is forested almost all the way to its summit which is conspicuous from the towns of Los Alamos, Santa Fe,...
. It is the most visually prominent peak in the range when viewed from the south, for example, from Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. From many other directions it is less prominent or not visible, due to its location in the center of the Valles Caldera, well away from the Caldera's rim.
Redondo Peak is an example of the volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
feature known as a resurgent dome
Resurgent dome
In geology, a resurgent dome is a dome formed by swelling or rising of a caldera floor due to movement in the magma chamber beneath it. Unlike a lava dome, a resurgent dome is not formed by the extrusion of highly viscous lava onto the surface, but rather by the uplift and deformation of the...
. It was formed some time after the main caldera-forming eruptions of about 1.4 million and 1.1 million years ago, but it is not itself an eruptive feature. The summit of the mountain is composed of tuff
Tuff
Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
ejected by the more recent caldera-forming eruption, rather than of subsequent volcanic ejecta. It is forested all the way to its summit. Controversy concerning logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
practices on the mountain contributed pressure to create the Valles Caldera National Preserve, within which logging is presently restricted.
Cultural significance
Redondo Peak is sacred to various Pueblo peoplePueblo people
The Pueblo people are a Native American people in the Southwestern United States. Their traditional economy is based on agriculture and trade. When first encountered by the Spanish in the 16th century, they were living in villages that the Spanish called pueblos, meaning "towns". Of the 21...
s of New Mexico and, as a result, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and other recreational activities on the mountain are sharply restricted as of 2008. The summit area is occupied by a shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
that was studied and excavated by anthropologist William Boone Douglass in the early 20th century and remained in use well into the 20th century. The shrine and its immediate surroundings are closed to visitors.