EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT

high-valley lava-flow area, Valencia county, N.M., U.S. The area covered by black lava flow extends about 85,000 acres (34,400 hectares), although the designated national monument covers 114,716 acres (46,424 hectares). The elevation of El Malpais (Spanish: The Badlands) ranges from 6,400 to 8,400 feet (1,950 to 2,560 m). Features include a 17-mile- (27-kilometre-) long lava tube system, a number of ice caves, volcanic cinder cones, one of New Mexico's largest natural arches, and more than 20 gas and lava spatter cones. The area is also believed to have been a point of contact for the Mogollon, Anasazi, Patayan, and Sinauga cultures; there are many ruins in and around El Malpais. A number of ecosystems are found at El Malpais. Oneseed juniper (species Juniperus monosperma) and pinn pine (Pinus elulis) are the dominant tree species. Deer and antelope and mutant black furred field mice (Microtus) inhabit the area. Designated a national natural landmark (1969) with the name Grants Lava Flow, it was not registered as such because of multiple ownership. In 1974 it was designated an Outstanding Natural Area and on Dec. 31, 1987, a national monument.