A must-read if you are interested in the geology of the Abiquiu region. The guide is not centrally about art or O’Keeffe; it’s about the region’s changing landscape over 300 million years of geologic time. The region – in particular the iconic Cerro Pedernal butte – is at the juncture of the Rio Grande Rift, the Colorado Plateau and the Jemez Mountains volcanic field, geologist Kirt Kempter writes in the guide’s helpful explanatory text.

The Abiquiu region includes some of the most spectacular and diverse geology in the state of New Mexico. A triple junction of geologic provinces, including the Colorado Plateau, the Rio Grande Rift, and the Jemez Volcanic Field, coincide to tell a fascinating story of landscape evolution in constant change.

Abiquiu: The Geologic History of O'Keeffe Country presents the three-hundred-million-year history told by the rocks of the Abiquiu area. With stunning photographs, timelines, and a regional geologic map, noted geologist Kirt Kempter explains the geologic story and landscape evolution of the region for travelers, hikers, and armchair geologists. With large-scale aerial photographs showing major geologic features, explanations of volcanic activity related to the Rio Grande Rift, and detailed descriptions of geologic strata that make up O'Keeffe's beloved Cerro Pedernal, Abiquiu tells the many chapters of changing environments and landscapes from Abiquiu's geologic past.

Review
"Part map, part road log, part description of geologic history along the Río Chama, the weatherproof booklet easily fits in a backpack or auto-door pocket."--Phill Casaus, Santa Fe New Mexican
About the Author
Kirt Kempter leads geologic tours around the world for National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institute. He is the author of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve: Geologic History of the Southwest's Youngest Caldera, both published in the High Desert Field Guides Series (UNM Press). He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Dick Huelster has happily pursued his love of archaeology by doing extensive examinations of sites, surveying, and mapping for the Office of Archeological Studies.