Awesome series! I discovered the Valles caldera back in 2020 during a random trip to NM. It was so fascinating to find a large volcanic feature I didn’t know existed. Kinda sparked my interest in geology which was further pushed along by a trip to Hawaii the next year. I’ve been researching a trip back to spend more time exploring so this was very useful especially adds a lot of context of the areas around it.
This whole series was amazing, I just watched all 6 parts and I'm delighted to have come across them. Excellent presentation, you explain so clearly that I genuinely understood 99% of what you were saying, also thanks to your well timed repetition. Thank you.
Excellent presentation on the Valles Caldera. I liked the way Dr. Kempter started with showing us the actual rocks involved, and then in Stop 4 and 5 showed computerized overlays on 3-D topography. I finally really understand the general geology of the area. Thanks, Mark Winfrey
This is an absolutely great way to present geology with on site description, view from the sky with Google Earth and geologic maps. It makes it easier to understand the Caldera for a geology fan like me. I am not from this area but it was very interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this extraordinary series. Very well done. Great geology teaching for us non-geologists. I'm glad this was homework for the Smithsonian Associates Program.
Thank you for this entire series. I have spent many days exploring this area and camped on the rim of the caldera, explored the tents and Bandelera National monument. I was familiar with some of the geology but this gives me a comprehensive understanding. Finally, thanks for debunking some of the myths about the Caldera. Keep up your great work.
What a fascinating presentation. I was utterly ignorant of the geophysical features of New Mexico. You certainly provided a beautifully detailed and easy to understand description of the Valles Caldera and the processes that produced it. Thanks very much for your efforts.
Top notch all the way around and I second all of the well-earned praise. I felt a real sense of satisfaction having absorbed this excellent work. My only complaint is the unused rock persuader not cracking open some of that crystally Bandelier Tuff. All eps liked and subscribed. I would eagerly re-watch this again as an expanded six-hour series digging deeper into the geology and history including those early papers and evidence, much more on the tuff, and expansion on the erosive processes both within and outside the crater. Not a complaint at all as the series is well crafted for it's intended audience but this is such a great story and you are good at the telling. Thanks to all involved.
This was an amazing series of videos. I've spent the last 20 years visiting Los Alamos and we always drive into the Jemez during each visit. I thought I knew a lot about the Valles Caldera, but I've learned more in the last 1.5 hours than in my 20 years of visiting.
Thank you for making this series. I've been practising armchair geology since the beginning of the pandemic and greatly appreciate such good quality information as I expand my horizons.
Okay, an old retired geologist here from the oil patch. I've been there in the way distant past during field camp. And I remember where we looked at a perspective of the Rio Grande Rift and as I recall, basaltic lava flows. And then there was this tall peak to the west which was the Valles Caldera with the Bandolier Tuff. But placing it in the context of plate tectonics is difficult. I get the Rio Grande rift brings up basalt from the mantle. But in part within the collection of faults on the west side of the rift there is this rhyolitic volcano with lavas not much different from the Cascades or Japan, Martinique and Vesuvius, Santorini. I once heard an explanation of flat slab subduction. But in reality, I don't know why that silicic volcano is there given the tectonics of 50 thousand to a couple of million years ago which is a blink of the eye in geologic terms. It's not a Yellowstone type hot spot either.
Loved the series. Thank you. I have a brother-in-law in Santa Fe and now I know what I'd like to do next time I visit. I hope you'll consider doing some more on geology in the area.
I’m camped on the rim above Los Alamos watching these videos. Thank you. Maybe in a few million years there will be huge lakes in the rift valley like there is in the Great Rift Valley.
I've become homesick from watching this. Maybe I will try to make the LAHS Class of '69 55th reunion. Also want to visit Chaco Canyon for the archaeology. I certainly heard those myths, even from my teachers in Los Alamos. Black Mesa is a marvel, but its origins were probably less dramatic than the mythological explanation.
Great presentation Kirt - couple questions regarding the La Grulla and Cerro Pelado range, what they're connection is, and nothing being mentioned regarding the geology of the purple colored area on the east edge of the Cerro Pelado and how it differentiates itself from the rest Last question - are your classes starting back up the first of the year? - I'm looking to learn as much as I can Came to the lab about a year and a half ago, starting walking the canyons right away, exploring the caldera and have more recently been exploring the Gila Wilderness and Florida Mountain areas (spent the holidays there) - have an eye on exploring the "Mule Creek Vent" when I can find a willing group of travelers, lol
I had a special “life moment” exploring Jimenez and Valles, quite by random, on a motorcycle, with a hot girl riding on the back. The landscape, as it unfolded, was surreal. It was one of those magical moments in my life. Thank you for answering many of the questions, that popped into my head, that day. My ride out to Eagles Nest wasn’t bad either. Land of Enchantment? Ab-so-freakin-lutly.
Awesome series! I discovered the Valles caldera back in 2020 during a random trip to NM. It was so fascinating to find a large volcanic feature I didn’t know existed. Kinda sparked my interest in geology which was further pushed along by a trip to Hawaii the next year. I’ve been researching a trip back to spend more time exploring so this was very useful especially adds a lot of context of the areas around it.
This whole series was amazing, I just watched all 6 parts and I'm delighted to have come across them. Excellent presentation, you explain so clearly that I genuinely understood 99% of what you were saying, also thanks to your well timed repetition. Thank you.
I feel exactly the same as you, having just stumbled upon this series.
We had often speculated as to whether there had been a crater lake in the caldera. It is encouraging to know we were on to something.
That was great! I live on the edge of it! My husband and I are always speculating about what we’re seeing. Thank you! It was very interesting!
Excellent presentation on the Valles Caldera. I liked the way Dr. Kempter started with showing us the actual rocks involved, and then in Stop 4 and 5 showed computerized overlays on 3-D topography. I finally really understand the general geology of the area. Thanks, Mark Winfrey
Really superb series of presentations. I almost felt like I was there at the stops.
WOW! I wish this presentation was out when I lived in Los Alamos in the 70's!! It is So Good to hear all the familiar names again!
This is an absolutely great way to present geology with on site description, view from the sky with Google Earth and geologic maps. It makes it easier to understand the Caldera for a geology fan like me. I am not from this area but it was very interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this extraordinary series. Very well done. Great geology teaching for us non-geologists. I'm glad this was homework for the Smithsonian Associates Program.
Thank you for this entire series. I have spent many days exploring this area and camped on the rim of the caldera, explored the tents and Bandelera National monument. I was familiar with some of the geology but this gives me a comprehensive understanding. Finally, thanks for debunking some of the myths about the Caldera. Keep up your great work.
What a fascinating presentation. I was utterly ignorant of the geophysical features of New Mexico. You certainly provided a beautifully detailed and easy to understand description of the Valles Caldera and the processes that produced it. Thanks very much for your efforts.
Top notch all the way around and I second all of the well-earned praise. I felt a real sense of satisfaction having absorbed this excellent work. My only complaint is the unused rock persuader not cracking open some of that crystally Bandelier Tuff. All eps liked and subscribed.
I would eagerly re-watch this again as an expanded six-hour series digging deeper into the geology and history including those early papers and evidence, much more on the tuff, and expansion on the erosive processes both within and outside the crater. Not a complaint at all as the series is well crafted for it's intended audience but this is such a great story and you are good at the telling. Thanks to all involved.
This was an amazing series of videos. I've spent the last 20 years visiting Los Alamos and we always drive into the Jemez during each visit. I thought I knew a lot about the Valles Caldera, but I've learned more in the last 1.5 hours than in my 20 years of visiting.
Thank you for making this series.
I've been practising armchair geology since the beginning of the pandemic and greatly appreciate such good quality information as I expand my horizons.
Right there with you!
Okay, an old retired geologist here from the oil patch. I've been there in the way distant past during field camp. And I remember where we looked at a perspective of the Rio Grande Rift and as I recall, basaltic lava flows. And then there was this tall peak to the west which was the Valles Caldera with the Bandolier Tuff. But placing it in the context of plate tectonics is difficult. I get the Rio Grande rift brings up basalt from the mantle. But in part within the collection of faults on the west side of the rift there is this rhyolitic volcano with lavas not much different from the Cascades or Japan, Martinique and Vesuvius, Santorini. I once heard an explanation of flat slab subduction. But in reality, I don't know why that silicic volcano is there given the tectonics of 50 thousand to a couple of million years ago which is a blink of the eye in geologic terms. It's not a Yellowstone type hot spot either.
Loved the series. Thank you. I have a brother-in-law in Santa Fe and now I know what I'd like to do next time I visit. I hope you'll consider doing some more on geology in the area.
I love this whole presentation. Very well done.
Thank you, this was an excellent experience!!
This was excellent. It was clear, it was informative, it was fascinating, and even entertaining and fun. Thanks!
Great series. Thanks so much for sharing.
This was excellent. Very informative and easy to follow and understand. Thank you! Can't wait to visit!
An excellent presentation of this caldera.
Thank you, I appreciate your efforts made and I will be reviewing your short series before I go up there and visit in Spring.
I’m camped on the rim above Los Alamos watching these videos. Thank you. Maybe in a few million years there will be huge lakes in the rift valley like there is in the Great Rift Valley.
Well done. You as well Javier
Thank you Brian
- Javier
Excellent Series, well done, thank you!
I grew up in Los Alamos. nice to learn the history of the geology around it
This is a wonderful presentation. Thank you for your efforts!
Excellent series! Thank you!🌋🌋
Thank you for this great series!
Great series of videos!! Thank You!!
Wonderful!
I've become homesick from watching this. Maybe I will try to make the LAHS Class of '69 55th reunion. Also want to visit Chaco Canyon for the archaeology. I certainly heard those myths, even from my teachers in Los Alamos. Black Mesa is a marvel, but its origins were probably less dramatic than the mythological explanation.
That was good the series was excellent presentation
Neat videos about the Valles Caldera area…
This was so good; thank you for your hard work!
Great presentation Kirt - couple questions regarding the La Grulla and Cerro Pelado range, what they're connection is, and nothing being mentioned regarding the geology of the purple colored area on the east edge of the Cerro Pelado and how it differentiates itself from the rest
Last question - are your classes starting back up the first of the year? - I'm looking to learn as much as I can
Came to the lab about a year and a half ago, starting walking the canyons right away, exploring the caldera and have more recently been exploring the Gila Wilderness and Florida Mountain areas (spent the holidays there) - have an eye on exploring the "Mule Creek Vent" when I can find a willing group of travelers, lol
Great series !! thank you ... recently moved to NM from NYC, would love to hear about the Estancia Vally
I absolutely love this series. Is that map available for purchase or download somewhere?
Excellent thank you. But is it active ?
Please make more geology videos
I had a special “life moment” exploring Jimenez and Valles, quite by random, on a motorcycle, with a hot girl riding on the back. The landscape, as it unfolded, was surreal. It was one of those magical moments in my life.
Thank you for answering many of the questions, that popped into my head, that day.
My ride out to Eagles Nest wasn’t bad either.
Land of Enchantment?
Ab-so-freakin-lutly.
Is the zero Grande rift still active?
Thank you.
Can you add a link to purchase those maps?
I had heard the myth about Black Mesa from my junior high earth science teacher--a font of misinformation he was.