Dr. Kempter will present the geologic story of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, the spectacular national monument located at the southeastern base of the Jemez Mountains. The life and death history of Bearhead Volcano, active nearly 7 million years ago, and its role in the creation of the beautiful and bizarre rock formations that make up the current landscape will be discussed. Kasha-Katuwe means “white cliffs” in the traditional Keresan language spoken by Cochiti, neighboring Santo Domingo and San Felipe Pueblos, and a few other pueblos.
A native of Albuquerque, Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and Ph.D. graduate in geology from the University of Texas at Austin. He has studied plate tectonics and related volcanism in various parts of the world, including Hawaii, Iceland, Mexico, South America, and the southwestern United States. For the past 8 years Kempter has worked for New Mexico’s STATEMAP program, studying the volcanic and geologic history of the Jemez Mountains and northern Rio Grande rift. Over the past fifteen years Kempter has led numerous educational tours for the Smithsonian Institution from Iceland to Antarctica. A new Trail Map and Geologic Guide to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument has just been published by authors Kirt Kempter and Richard Huelster. Don’t miss the geologic story of this amazing and unique national monument!
Cost: $5 general admission, $12 deluxe ticket includes a copy of the new Trail Map.
Purchase in advance to guarantee your seats at: www.naturalhistoryfoundation.org or at the door before the talk. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Questions: 841-2872; chris.sanchez@state.nm.us
About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is a regional center of excellence in scientific research, exhibits, and science education.