Albuquerque Basin

The Albuquerque Basin is a large geological depression in central New Mexico that stretches between mountain ranges to the east and the Rio Puerco river to the west. The ground beneath the surface holds layers of ancient river deposits that act as underground water storage for the region.

People have lived in this region for thousands of years, with early settlements relying on hunting and stone tools for survival. Over time, communities learned to use the river's water for farming, which became the foundation for permanent settlement.

The Rio Grande flows through this basin and has supported farming communities for centuries through irrigation systems people still depend on today. The waterway remains central to how people live and work in the region.

The basin lies open across the landscape between mountain ranges and can be approached from several directions. The area is dry and receives strong sun exposure, so proper clothing and carrying water are important when exploring the terrain.

Beneath the surface of this basin lies a remarkably thick stack of rock and sediment stretching down several kilometers, making it one of the region's deepest and oldest geological features. This depth allows geologists to read millions of years of Earth's history within its layers.