Datil-Mogollon Section
Encyclopedia
The Datil-Mogollon Section is a physiographic section
of the larger Colorado Plateau
s province, which in turn is part of the larger Intermontane Plateaus
physiographic division. It is a transitional area between the Basin and Range Province and the Colorado Plateau. It is also a newly defined unit that includes the southern part of the area previously designated the Datil Section.
and eastern Arizona
is the Datil section. Most of the Datil section in Arizona is the White Mountain
volcanic field. It is an extensive area covered with thick lavas and tuffs. There are also remnants of large stratovolcanoes, mainly composed of basaltic andesite. High tablelands are capped with tuffs, andesite
, and basalt lavas, and volcanic-derived conglomeratic sandstones and mudstones. The principal structure of the area is a large central-type volcano called Mount Taylor that rises to 11389 ft (3,471.4 m), surrounded by numerous smaller volcanic centers and volcanic necks with extensive lava-covered mesas and valleys to the south. The largest mesa
is 46 miles (74 km) long and about 23 miles (37 km) wide with an upper elevation of 1900 ft (579.1 m) above the surrounding plain and is capped with about 300 ft (91.4 m) of lava. The ancient lava flows extend southward into the Mexican Highlands section of the Basin and Range Province and consequently that border of the Colorado Plateaus is ill-defined. Along the eastern edge of the Datil section, the Mexican Highlands section of the Basin and Range
province extends northward along the Rio Grande
depression to the Southern Rocky Mountains
, and the boundary between the depression and the uplifted Colorado Plateaus is sharply defined by the western-most faults of the depression. It contains several large structural basins and block-faulted ranges. It is bounded on the east by basins of the Rio Grande rift, which are part of the Mexican Highland Section of the Basin and Range Province.
Physiographic regions of the world
The physiographic regions of the world are a means of defining the Earth's landforms into distinct regions based upon classic 1916 three-tiered approach defining divisions, provinces, and sections...
of the larger Colorado Plateau
Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateau Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. The province covers an area of 337,000 km2 within western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico,...
s province, which in turn is part of the larger Intermontane Plateaus
Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic regions of the U.S. InteriorSee:legendIn some places,high plateaus lie between the mountain ranges, for example,the plateau of Anatolia in Turkey and the plateau of Tibet.These are called "Intermontane plateaus"....
physiographic division. It is a transitional area between the Basin and Range Province and the Colorado Plateau. It is also a newly defined unit that includes the southern part of the area previously designated the Datil Section.
Geology
Located along the southeastern rim of the Colorado Plateaus, in New MexicoNew 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...
and eastern Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
is the Datil section. Most of the Datil section in Arizona is the White Mountain
White Mountains (Arizona)
The White Mountains of Arizona are a mountain range and mountainous region in the eastern part of the state, near the border with New Mexico; it is a continuation from the west of the Arizona transition zone–Mogollon Rim, with the Rim ending in western New Mexico...
volcanic field. It is an extensive area covered with thick lavas and tuffs. There are also remnants of large stratovolcanoes, mainly composed of basaltic andesite. High tablelands are capped with tuffs, andesite
Andesite
Andesite is an extrusive igneous, volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between basalt and dacite. The mineral assemblage is typically dominated by plagioclase plus pyroxene and/or hornblende. Magnetite,...
, and basalt lavas, and volcanic-derived conglomeratic sandstones and mudstones. The principal structure of the area is a large central-type volcano called Mount Taylor that rises to 11389 ft (3,471.4 m), surrounded by numerous smaller volcanic centers and volcanic necks with extensive lava-covered mesas and valleys to the south. The largest mesa
Mesa
A mesa or table mountain is an elevated area of land with a flat top and sides that are usually steep cliffs. It takes its name from its characteristic table-top shape....
is 46 miles (74 km) long and about 23 miles (37 km) wide with an upper elevation of 1900 ft (579.1 m) above the surrounding plain and is capped with about 300 ft (91.4 m) of lava. The ancient lava flows extend southward into the Mexican Highlands section of the Basin and Range Province and consequently that border of the Colorado Plateaus is ill-defined. Along the eastern edge of the Datil section, the Mexican Highlands section of the Basin and Range
Basin and Range
The Basin and Range Province is a vast physiographic region defined by a unique topographic expression. Basin and Range topography is characterized by abrupt changes in elevation, alternating between narrow faulted mountain chains and flat arid valleys or basins...
province extends northward along the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
depression to the Southern Rocky Mountains
Southern Rocky Mountains
The Southern Rocky Mountains are a major subregion of the Rocky Mountains of North America located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Wyoming, the central and western portions of Colorado, the northern portion of New Mexico, and extreme eastern portions of Utah...
, and the boundary between the depression and the uplifted Colorado Plateaus is sharply defined by the western-most faults of the depression. It contains several large structural basins and block-faulted ranges. It is bounded on the east by basins of the Rio Grande rift, which are part of the Mexican Highland Section of the Basin and Range Province.