Geology

Red Knolls Amphitheater

Graham County, AZ

Coordinate unverified

BLM-managed badland of soft Pliocene lake and fluvial beds west of Safford that weather into a natural amphitheater of red and white knolls, sinkholes, short slot-like washes, and cave-like alcoves. The same geologic package that filled the Gila Valley with clay-rich 111 Ranch beds now stands as an informal geology playground visible from US-70 near Pima. Short exploratory walks reveal karst-like collapse features without a formal national-park trail system.

Field facts

RegionGraham County, AZ
Coordinates32.9598, -109.9448
CountyGraham
Managing areaBLM (public land west of Safford / near Pima)
GeologyPliocene 111 Ranch Beds; lacustrine/fluvial clays and limestones
Access styleHighway-adjacent public land; informal exploration
GNIS amphitheaterbasin feature near Eden map

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