A GEOLOGIC TOUR OF THE DIAMOND TAIL RANCH WITH DR. KIRT KEMPTER
THURSDAY,  APRIL 16, 2026

Just northeast of the Sandia Mountains is a vast 20,000-acre private property named the Diamond Tail Ranch.  Geologic strata exposed on the property include limestones from Late Paleozoic seas, ancient river deposits from the Jurassic Period, and a variety of ocean sedimentary units from the Cretaceous Sea.  Younger sedimentary units from the Paleogene Period also occur on the property, including the Diamond Tail Formation (named after the ranch), deposited by rivers ~60 million years ago.  Quarried sandstone blocks from this unit were used to construct the basilica in Santa Fe.  Join Southwest Seminars, local geologist Kirt Kempter and guide Clint West on a 4-5 hour jeep tour across this magnificent property.  During the tour there will be several stops to examine the geologic strata, search for plant and animal fossils, and look for evidence of volcanic activity related to the Ortiz igneous belt.  There will also be stops to appreciate evidence of human history in the region, from ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs to younger ghost mining towns. Includes 4×4 tour within the Ranch, study leader honorariums and picnic lunch. Tour limited to 12 guests $350 pp.

CONTACT SOUTHWESTSEMINAR@AOL.COM   TO RESERVE A SPACE

IMAGE: NM JEEP TOURS