Nature
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Spanish explorers called this extensive lava flow malpais, or badlands. The river of lava that flowed down this "Valley of Fires" erupted from a volcano some 7 miles north of here about 1000 years ago. Extending through the valley for 44 miles, the malpais averages 3 miles in width. This ropy type of lava is called "pahoehoe."
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New Mexico · United States
