The Carrizozo Malpais is a large lava flow on the west side of Carrizozo, New Mexico, on the northern part of the Tularosa Basin between Sierra Blanca to the southeast and the Oscura Mountains to the west.

The lava flow is one of the longest known that has erupted on Earth in the past 10,000 years. It achieved its great length by flowing in insulated lava tubes. Carrizozo Malpais is the local name, which roughly translates to “bad footing” in Spanish, …

The Carrizozo Malpais are a lava flow that formed by magma (molten rock) pouring out of a small crack in the earth's surface in a "Hawaiian-style" volcanic eruption.

The Carrizozo Malpais are one of the youngest volcanic features in the state of New Mexico. The Malpais, which are the 75 km-long black feature in the satellite image below, are basaltic lava flows, such as are being erupted today in Hawaii.

The Carrizozo lava flow field extends from its source a few kilometers north of the current Highway 380 southward to the extreme northern end of White Sands. Most of the flow south of Highway 380 lies within the White Sands Missle Range.

El Malpaís National Monument is an example of this landform in New Mexico. [4] . Other examples are the Carrizozo Malpaís, Potrillo Malpaís and Jornada del Muerto Volcano lava plain, in the Jornada del Muerto Desert. The Malpaís de Güímar is …

Oct 18, 2023 · The Carrizozo malpais consist of two basaltic lava flows that erupted from within the Tularosa Basin, in south-central New Mexico. A geological map of the Carrizozo Malpais and associated areas is show below.

Feb 19, 2024 · If you start driving west from Carrizozo, you’ll soon come across a 40-mile long lava flow known as the Carrizozo Malpais. “Malpais” means “badlands” in Spanish, and it’s a good indication that it wouldn’t have be a fun place to travel through back in the day.

Sep 25, 2022 · While in orbit over the Southwestern United States, an astronaut onboard the International Space Station took a sequence of photos of Carrizozo Malpaís, a large basaltic lava flow in central New Mexico.

Mar 19, 2025 · 7. Carrizozo Malpais. The Carrizozo Malpais, located in central New Mexico, is a vast lava field that stretches for miles, offering numerous opportunities to explore hidden grottos. Valley of Fires Recreation Area: This area within the Carrizozo Malpais features well-marked trails that lead to various lava formations and grottos.