Ship Rock, an iconic and visually striking landform situated in northwestern New Mexico, stands as a testament to ancient volcanic activity. Known to the Navajo people as Tsé Bitʼaʼí, or “winged rock,” this impressive geological feature is actually the solidified core of a volcano that erupted approximately 30 million years ago.
This remarkable volcanic neck rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape, towering 600 meters (almost 2,000 feet) above the terrain and spanning about 500 meters in diameter. Ship Rock represents the eroded remains of the central conduit of a much larger volcanic structure that has disappeared over millennia due to weathering. The rock itself is composed of fractured volcanic breccia, interwoven with delicate veins of solidified lava, revealing a complex geological history. Its unique composition is classified as “minette,” a potassium-rich magma type believed to originate from minimal melting deep within the Earth’s mantle. Originally formed hundreds of meters beneath the surface, Ship Rock’s current prominence is a result of the relentless erosion of softer surrounding sedimentary rocks.
Adding to Ship Rock’s geological allure are the radiating dikes. These wall-like formations of solidified lava extend outwards from the central volcanic neck. Evident in the image are at least two of the six recognized dikes. These dikes were formed by magma intruding into surrounding rock layers during the Ship Rock eruption. Over vast stretches of time, differential erosion has played a crucial role, exposing these resistant lava dikes while the softer sandstones and shales of the surrounding country rock have been worn away, further accentuating the dramatic presence of Ship Rock.
