Pajarito Plateau mesa topography

The Pajarito Plateau is a large expanse of volcanic tuff (compressed and partially welded volcanic ash). The Plateau has been dissected by several streams into mesas, as reveled here by the combination of sun and cloud shadows. The peach color is the main stratum of tuff; a nearly-white layer can be seen on top. In the background is the Sangre de Christo range, buried in clouds of a snowstorm. Eastern slope of the Jemez Mountains, NM.