Mitten Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitten Rock |
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Northeast aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,557 ft (1,999 m) |
| Prominence | 807 ft (246 m) |
| Isolation | 5.37 mi (8.64 km) |
| Parent peak | White Rock (6,634 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mitten Rock
Location in New Mexico
Mitten Rock
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Juan County, New Mexico, US |
| Parent range | Chuska Mountains Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Mitten Rock |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Oligocene |
| Mountain type | Volcanic plug |
| Type of rock | Volcanic breccia |
Mitten Rock is a tall mountain peak in northwest New Mexico, United States. It stands 6,557-foot (1,999-meter) high. This impressive rock formation is located on Navajo Nation land in San Juan County.
Mitten Rock is part of the Navajo volcanic field, an area with many ancient volcanoes. These volcanoes formed about 30 million years ago. Mitten Rock itself is a volcanic plug, which is what's left of a volcano's vent after the softer rock around it has worn away. It rises about 900 feet (270 meters) above the flat desert land.
This landmark is sometimes called "Little Ship Rock." It is about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) southwest of Shiprock, another famous volcanic plug. In the Navajo language, Mitten Rock is known as Tséłkǫ, which means "Rock Is Fire." The US Army gave it the name "Mitten Rock" in 1892. This name became official in 1915.
Rainwater that falls on Mitten Rock flows into Little Shiprock Wash. This wash eventually leads to the San Juan River. The area around Mitten Rock has a semi-arid climate. This means it has cold winters and hot summers.
What Mitten Rock Is Made Of
Mitten Rock is made of a special type of rock called felsic minette. This rock is unusual, even for the Navajo volcanic field. Most minette rocks have a silica content of about 48% to 52%. However, the felsic minette in Mitten Rock has up to 60% silica.
Scientists believe this unique rock formed from a process called crystal fractionation. This happens when different minerals in magma (melted rock deep underground) cool and separate. This process created the special felsic minette we see today at Mitten Rock.
See Also
