Twenty seven million years ago these solidified lava formations are what fed a violent volcanic eruption called a mantle blowout. At that time there was about 3000 feet of earth above what we see now which has been carried away be erosion. This photo was taken while I was standing on top of one of the feeder dikes that supplied the volcano. This spot is considered sacred by the Navajo Nation and it is now against the law to stand on this formation. Looking ahead we see the actual volcanic throat which is beautiful and impressive. Shiprock is the most prominent landmark in Northwestern New Mexico USA, it stands 1583 feet above the surrounding plains and can be seen from many miles away.
The legend of the Navajo people says that Shiprock is all that remains of the giant bird that carried the Navajo from the North to New Mexico.