Sierra Nacimiento facts for kids
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The Sierra Nacimiento (also called the Nacimiento Mountains) is a mountain range in New Mexico, United States. These mountains are west of the Jemez Mountains, close to the town of Cuba. The Río Guadalupe and the Río de Las Vacas rivers separate them. This article also includes the San Pedro Mountains, which are a smaller range connected to the Sierra Nacimiento in the north. Both are part of the Nacimiento Uplift and sit at the edge of the larger San Juan Basin.
The combined mountain range runs north to south for about 40 miles (65 km). The highest point is San Pedro Peak, which is 10,605 feet (3,232 meters) high.
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Why are the Nacimiento Mountains Important?
The Nacimiento Mountains are interesting to geologists because they form the western edge of the Rio Grande Rift. A rift is a large crack in the Earth's crust where the land is pulling apart. The Rio Grande river flows through this rift valley.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are on the east side of this rift. They are much taller and rougher than the Nacimiento Mountains. The Nacimientos have long, gentle hills that never reach above the tree line (the elevation where trees stop growing). The Jemez Mountains are between the Nacimientos and the Sangre de Cristos. People sometimes think they are part of the rift, but they are actually volcanic mountains.
How the San Pedro Mountains Formed
Geologists believe the San Pedro Mountains are an old, flat surface that was worn down by wind and water. Younger rock layers like the Pedernal Chert and Ritito Conglomerate cover parts of this surface.
These rocks tell us the history of this area. The land was first pushed up during a mountain-building event called the Laramide orogeny. Then, it was worn down almost flat and covered by new sediments. Later, it was pushed up again as part of the western edge of the Rio Grande Rift.
Exploring the Nacimiento Mountains
Much of the Nacimiento Mountains are part of the San Pedro Parks Wilderness area. This means the area is protected and kept natural. Many hiking trails cross this wilderness, making it a popular place for backpackers.
The mountains get more rain and snow than many other mountains in New Mexico. This is because there are no taller mountains nearby to block the weather. Because of this, the trails in the wilderness area are often soft and wet for much of the year. San Gregorio Lake is an artificial lake at the south end of the wilderness. It is a popular spot for fishing.
What Does "Nacimiento" Mean?
The name "Nacimiento" means "birth" or "the Nativity" in Spanish. But it can also mean "source of a river." This second meaning fits well here because the Rio Puerco river starts on the west side of these mountains.
Images for kids
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Southern Sierra Nacimiento Mountains
See also
In Spanish: Sierra Nacimiento para niños
