Is Mt. Taylor a volcano?
Yes, Mount Taylor is a type of volcano called a stratovolcano. This type of volcano grows slowly and is formed by repeated eruptions, some explosive, and some passively forming lava flows. Between eruptions, erosion and sedimentation occurs. Lava flows are interbedded with volcaniclastic sediment (sediment related to erosion of the cone) and rhyolitic ash flow tuffs and pumice. Pyroclastic material (tuff and pumice) makes up about 10% of the cone. The volcano was active >3 to 1.5 million years ago. An east-facing amphitheater is a prominent feature in the central part of the volcano; Mount Taylor Peak, the highest point on the cone, is on the west rim of the amphitheater. Underlying Cretaceous sedimentary rocks and the oldest volcanic rocks in the cone are exposed in the lower elevations of the amphitheater. Crumpler (1982) suggested that the east side of Mount Taylor collapsed about 2.5 million years ago, leading to an lateral eruption like the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Was
