Roadside Geology of New Mexico

Placitas Community Library is grateful to have Magdalena Donahue present a talk on her most recent book, Roadside Geology of New Mexico, on October 11th. The book talk will take place in the Gracie Lee Community Room at 2 pm.

Whether you’re an amateur rock-hound, seasoned geologist, or curious traveler, Roadside Geology of New Mexico is your passport to understanding the state’s rich and varied geologic history. From the southern desert lowlands to the towering northern peaks, New Mexico reveals a stunning tapestry shaped by ancient seas, tectonic uplift, and explosive volcanism.

This recently released second edition is a full-color, cover-to-cover overhaul of the beloved original. The book has several new highway descriptions, with a focus on scenic roads and popular travel destinations. There have been a lot of advances in geological thinking in the decades since the first book was published, which have been incorporated into this new edition, providing readers and travelers with an updated resource to decode the amazing landscapes of New Mexico. It has been updated with new geologic interpretations, hundreds of vivid photos, cross-sections, and maps—including detailed milepost-keyed geologic maps for each featured route—this book is both an educational resource and an irresistible invitation to hit the road. You’ll discover bottomless lakes, fossilized dinosaur trackways, lava tubes, limestone caverns, tent rocks, cinder cones, and sweeping gypsum dunes—stories of the Earth’s past unfolding right outside your car window.

The author, Magdalena Donahue, grew up in northern New Mexico and earned her BS in Geological Sciences and Fine Arts from the University of Oregon, and her MS and PhD in Earth & Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico. Along with Roadside Geology of New Mexico, Magdalena has also authored Colorado Rocks: A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Centennial State (2021) and is also in the process of preparing Hiking the Highpoints of America. If you enjoy geology or road trips, please join us at the Placitas Community Library on October 11th at 2 pm. This is the book and talk for you! For more information on the author and her work, visit www.magdalenadonahue.com