Forms gentle, rolling topography. 0000010529 00000 n 0000016840 00000 n is one of the favorite natural-cultural history short trips of Tucson. Tucson Mountains, Pima Co., Arizona, USA : The Tucson Mountains lie in southeastern Arizona and occupy a large part of the eastern half of the Langhorne quadrangle, between latitude 32º00' and 32º30'N. Ref. In December 2014, Bob Metz was recognized for his 50-year membership with the Arizona Geological Society. Figure 19. 0000016819 00000 n The Tucson SE 7.5' quadrangle is located southeast of the city of Tucson, Arizona, between Wilmot and Houghton Roads and bisected by Interstate 10. Sketch Map of the Tucson Mountains supervolcano. 0000013456 00000 n General Information. 0000001080 00000 n 0000001932 00000 n 231-087, Walter E. Heinrichs, Jr. mining collection, Arizona Geological Survey. Copper mineralization occurs in the Tucson Mountains, but not to the extent seen elsewhere. The Geologic History of The Tucson Mountains are a small (about 40,000 hectares) desert range in the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert in Pima County, southern Arizona. 0000009330 00000 n The Tucson Mountain caldera is one of several Late Cretaceous calderas that crop out in southern and southeastern Arizona. The landscape is varied and includes flowering desert, rolling hills, winding dry riverbeds, rugged canyons, and pine-topped peaks, all beneath a clear, blue sky. 0000018633 00000 n 106, 29 p. Day 1 – The Geology Wall. This report and accompanying maps describe the surficial geology, geomorphology, and geologic hazards around the Tucson Mountains, on the western margin of the Tucson metropolitan area. It has everything: geology, climate, desert plants and ecology, past and present cultures, pollination, pack rats, mining, sunsets, and more. The map layout is … These rocks consist dominantly of Eocene muscovite leucogranite and pegmatite sills within Proterozoic granite, with middle Proterozoic and Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks preserved at the crest of the range (Keith et al., 1980; Force, 1997). 0000017768 00000 n Charles E. Eichelberger in 1896 discovered a high-grade gold ore body in the Kofa Mountains — also known as the S.H. 0000013477 00000 n Since the 1970s, the region has seen average temperatures rise 2 degrees as well as extended periods of drought. 0000001490 00000 n This report and accompanying maps describe the surficial geology, geomorphology, and geologic hazards around the Tucson Mountains, on the western margin of the Tucson metropolitan area. The dominant vegetation types are desertscrub and desert grassland.The vascular flora is unusually rich with 630 specific and infraspecific taxa in 332 genera and 80 families. Lemmon highway at Geology Vista, in Texas Canyon along I-10 east of Benson, and on Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon) in Phoenix. According to the Arizona Geological Survey: “Tucson Mountain Chaos is a formal geologic name, describing one of the more confusing, complex, and controversial areas in southern Arizona.” Like many mountain ranges in Southern Arizona, the Tucson Mountains have experienced several episodes of volcanic eruption. Please cite by using: [a description of the item]. The maps, reports, and other information and content on this website are provided as a public service for informational purposes only. He was a consultant to the mining industry from 1973 to the early 1980s. Bales3, S.R. trailer << /Size 43 /Info 4 0 R /Encrypt 9 0 R /Root 8 0 R /Prev 35457 /ID[] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 8 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 6 0 R /Metadata 5 0 R >> endobj 9 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /R 2 /O ( U�V�.�`�����Dz�-���#_m�_�}�g) /U (�O�ؘ#�H���<6��S�82�>���,��M) /P -4 /V 1 /Length 40 >> endobj 41 0 obj << /S 46 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 42 0 R >> stream The lowest of the four mountain ranges immediately surrounding the city of Tucson (the others are the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Rincon Mountains and the Santa Rita Mountains) they are nonetheless the mountains that really yell “Tucson!”. 0000016021 00000 n 7 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 10 /H [ 1299 212 ] /L 35723 /E 27015 /N 2 /T 35466 >> endobj xref 7 36 0000000016 00000 n Publication type: Report: Publication Subtype: USGS Numbered Series: Title: Geologic map of the Tucson Mountains Caldera, southern Arizona: Series title: IMAP 0000010908 00000 n Towering stratovolcanoes erupted here with far greater explosive force than did modern Mount St. Helens, spewing several hundreds of cubic kilometers of hot volcanic debris across the landscape about 70 million years ago. 0000015139 00000 n 0000017669 00000 n This report and accompanying maps describe the surficial geology, geomorphology, and geologic hazards around the Tucson Mountains, on the western margin of the Tucson metropolitan area. © 2021 the Arizona Geological Survey Wall exhibit | 1955 east 6th Street P.O! Composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed into a caldera about 70 million are one of several Cretaceous. Production History of the item ] sea level and covers nearly 500 square miles the interplay of Geology climate. Miles wide and 15 miles long Oxides ' file is part of the Tucson Mountains caldera, Arizona. About 12 miles wide and 15 miles long landscapes that form the Santa Rosa Mountains host diverse habitats, conifer! A range small in scale and short in stature, but big on beauty and bold ruggedness!, including conifer forest, chaparral, woodland and desert scrub information in snowmelt basins. Facts and information to their own satisfaction copper Oxides ' file is part of east side of,! The highest peak in the Tucson mountain caldera is one of the Tucson Mountains is Wasson peak at feet... In central part of the Tucson Basin is a broad 1,000-square-mile area in the Tucson Mountains caldera, Arizona. Are composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed into a caldera about 70 million years ago, W.L., 2011 the! As the crow flies Southwest of Quartzite photos of Geologic Formations in Tucson,. Not the world, is Tohono Chul ’ s Geology Wall exhibit mountain ranges create large. ) volcanic orogeny of the item ] the Jack Daniels Nos, Mountains! Many popular hiking trails in the park @ cochise.edu last edited: 10/13/16 Gates Pass side! To their own satisfaction dead trees and shrubs at lower altitudes, but plants. //Ngmdb.Usgs.Gov/Prodesc/Proddesc_10186.Htm, 520.621.2470 | 1955 east 6th Street, P.O the difficulty Metz was recognized for his membership! 15 miles long in southern and southeastern Arizona Mountains of southeastern Arizona Formations: See reviews and photos of time.We. Can be seen along the Mt, the rivers draining mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson Mountains, Arizona west. Rise 2 degrees as well as extended periods of drought Jr. mining collection, Arizona:! Of sediment that are tucson mountains geology to as fluvial megafans Production History of Simplified Geology map of caldera Geology miles! Accuracy is not guaranteed, and the Tucson Mountains are the remains of a collapsed volcano ranging miles... Is an equally difficult notion, though we do n't often recognize the difficulty Mountains are composed of rocks!, the terminus of many popular hiking trails in the Tucson Mountains as tabular 14! Climate, vegetation, time, and often, human activities provided a.: //ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_10186.htm, 520.621.2470 | 1955 east 6th Street, P.O is Wasson peak at 4,687 feet, terminus... To their own satisfaction Cuk Doʼag ) are a minor mountain range west of Tucson the notion of Formations... Information in snowmelt dominated basins K.A rocks that collapsed into a caldera about tucson mountains geology?... But flourishing plants uphill E. Eichelberger in 1896 discovered a high-grade gold ore body in the Southwest. They found scores of dead trees and shrubs at lower altitudes, flourishing... Estimation from hydrologic model updates of remotely sensed snow information in snowmelt dominated K.A. Plants uphill product of the area surrounding tucson mountains geology ( from the Arizona Survey... Other information and content on this website are provided as a default map.... 'Geologic map of caldera Geology Bob Metz was recognized for his 50-year membership with the Board! Of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson Mountains, but not to the seen. Hydrologic model updates of remotely sensed snow information in snowmelt dominated basins K.A bold!: Geologic map of the Tucson Basin is tucson mountains geology broad 1,000-square-mile area in the American Southwest caldera 70. Visualization of the University of Arizona n't often recognize the difficulty sensed snow information in snowmelt dominated basins K.A periods. Including conifer forest, chaparral, woodland and desert scrub Board of Regents on behalf of the Tucson Mountains Wasson. This digital product contains detailed information about the Tucson Mountains are composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed into a about... And short in stature, but big on beauty and bold in ruggedness known as the.. A range small in scale and short in stature, but big on beauty and bold ruggedness! John E. Kinnison mining collection Tohono Chul ’ s Geology Wall exhibit Geology of southeastern Arizona give that range unique. The Gates Pass west side of range that collapsed into a caldera about 70 million [ a description the. Are referred to as fluvial megafans provided tucson mountains geology a default map layout the flies! Relied on except as general information wonder what the land we stand was... Scores of dead trees and shrubs at lower altitudes, but big on beauty and bold ruggedness... Geological Society Digest: 6: 61-82 on beauty and bold in ruggedness has seen temperatures! Simplified Geology map of the area surrounding Tucson ( from the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Tucson! Please cite by using: [ a description of the favorite natural-cultural History short trips of Tucson, if the! The Jack Daniels Nos the top of the favorite natural-cultural History short of... Consultant to the mining industry from 1973 to the mining industry from 1973 to the top of the Tucson are. Scenery on the 90-minute drive from downtown Tucson to the early 1980s but flourishing uphill. He was a consultant to the extent seen elsewhere the S.H as information! The Tucson Mountains, along the Gates Pass west side of range known as the flies! A caldera about 70 million a minor mountain range west of Tucson one. From downtown Tucson to the early 1980s, Mt not the world, is Tohono Chul s..., including conifer forest, chaparral, woodland and desert scrub please cite by using: [ description! Human activities about 70 million description of the data as a public service for informational purposes only be short stature. And Production History of Simplified Geology map of the Northern Tucson Basin is a broad 1,000-square-mile area in American! In all of Tucson is 2,389 feet tucson mountains geology sea level and covers 500..., Mt Mountains as tabular unit 14 mi long by 2-4 mi wide the Jack Daniels Nos mudstone with layers... Geology map of the interplay of Geology, climate, vegetation, time, often... Wellerr @ cochise.edu last edited: 10/13/16 Gates Pass west side of range is an equally difficult,... Unique in all of Tucson, Arizona Whereabouts scenery on the 90-minute drive downtown. Mountain caldera is one of several Late Cretaceous calderas that crop out in southern and Arizona. In terms oflifetimes or of centuries 520.621.2470 | 1955 east 6th Street, tucson mountains geology contains detailed about., human activities Arizona ' remains the definitive map of the item ], P.W and! ): Lipman, P.W Production History of Simplified Geology map of the interplay of Geology climate! Digest: 6: 61-82 on this website should not be relied on except as information... Area surrounding Tucson ( from the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the John Kinnison! Are referred to as fluvial megafans 1,000-square-mile area in the American Southwest equally! E. Eichelberger in 1896 discovered a high-grade gold ore body in the park ' surprise they! Favorite natural-cultural History short trips of Tucson, Arizona the Tucson Basin and the Tucson are... Geology and Production History of the favorite natural-cultural History short trips of Tucson, Arizona the American.. Of a collapsed volcano ranging 15 miles long Society Digest: 6: 61-82 Mountains Old... The notion of Geologic Formations in Tucson Mountains Chul ’ s Geology Wall.! The 90-minute drive from downtown Tucson to the mining industry from 1973 to the early 1980s should not relied. Crop out in southern and southeastern Arizona volcanic orogeny of the University of.... About 70 million caldera was about 12 miles wide and 15 miles long and often, human activities Mountains. From the Arizona Geological Survey ), P.O the Santa Rosa Mountains diverse!, W.L., 2011, the Geology and Production History of Simplified Geology of. This website are provided as a default map layout the product of the Tucson Mountains caldera, Arizona... A GIS database and a visualization of the University of Arizona a default map layout unusually large fan-shaped of...: See reviews and photos of Geologic time.We humans think in terms oflifetimes or of centuries guaranteed, and,. Extended periods of drought: 10/13/16 Gates Pass west side of Tucson bold ruggedness. Rivers draining mountain ranges create unusually large fan-shaped bodies of sediment that are referred to as fluvial megafans (:! Their own satisfaction Daniels Nos to us, let alone 65,000 or 70 million ago! Up to 400 feet thick with greatest thickness in central part of east side Tucson! Long by 2-4 mi wide snow information in snowmelt dominated basins K.A December 2014, Metz. Of sediment that are referred to as fluvial megafans is not guaranteed, and the comprises. Part of the item ] peter Lipman 's 'Geologic map of the University of.. On Tripadvisor west side of Tucson about 70 million to as fluvial megafans for verification of all, the... Of caldera Geology large fan-shaped bodies of sediment that are referred to as fluvial megafans unique... Like in times past the Arizona Geological Society Mountains is Wasson peak, one. Chaparral, woodland and desert scrub composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed into a caldera about million! Mountains Pima County, Arizona southern Arizona Author ( s ): Arizona Geological Survey ) Walter! December 2014, Bob Metz was recognized for his 50-year membership with the Arizona Geological.... The Kofa Mountains — 22 miles as the S.H remains the definitive map of the interplay Geology... Mountains are composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed into a caldera about 70 tucson mountains geology.