Shiprock
August 01, 2011
Photographer: Rick Scott
Summary Author: Rick Scott
The photo above shows the impressive volcanic neck known as Shiprock, in the background, as viewed from its southward heading dike. This well-known landmark is located 11 mi (18 km) southwest of the town of Shiprock, New Mexico. Shiprock, standing 1,583 ft (483 m) above the surrounding terrain, has two major dikes; the one featured here in the foreground and another that leads west of the peak. Millions of years ago during the Oligocene epoch, the neck was deep inside an ancient volcano. Over the eons, the volcano eroded away, exposing the formation as we see it. The dikes were also created far beneath the surface when magma intruded into radial cracks, producing thin sheets of lava. Navajos called Shiprock Tse Bitai or Winged Rock. Photo taken 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from Shiprock on June 25, 2011.
Photo Details: Camera: Canon EOS 40D; Lens: EF16-35mm f/2.8L USM; Focal Length: 32mm; Focus Distance: Infinite; Aperture: f/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125); ISO equiv: 100.
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