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Rain God Mesa

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Mountain in Arizona, United States
Rain God Mesa
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation5,921 ft (1,805 m)
Prominence621 ft (189 m)
Parent peakMitchell Mesa (6,586 ft)
Isolation1.22 mi (1.96 km)
Coordinates36°56′32″N 110°04′26″W / 36.9423209°N 110.0740231°W / 36.9423209; -110.0740231
Geography
Rain God Mesa is located in ArizonaRain God MesaRain God MesaLocation in ArizonaShow map of ArizonaRain God Mesa is located in the United StatesRain God MesaRain God MesaRain God Mesa (the United States)Show map of the United States
LocationNavajo Nation
Navajo County, Arizona, U.S.
Parent rangeColorado Plateau
Topo mapUSGS Mitten Buttes
Geology
Mountain typeMesa
Rock typeSandstone

Rain God Mesa is a 5,921-foot-elevation (1,805-meter) summit in Navajo County, Arizona, United States.

Description

Rain God Mesa is situated 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of the Monument Valley visitor center on Navajo Nation land. Precipitation runoff from this mesa's slopes drains into Gypsum Creek which is a tributary of the San Juan River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 600 feet (183 meters) above the surrounding terrain in one-quarter mile (0.4 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Elephant Butte, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to the north-northwest. The landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The name refers to Navajo medicine men praying and giving thanks to the Rain God, who provides water. Streaks from water that seeps out at the base of the sandstone can be seen on the south side of the mesa.

Geology

Rain God Mesa is a mesa composed of three principal strata. The bottom layer is slope-forming Organ Rock Shale, the next stratum is cliff-forming De Chelly Sandstone, and the upper layer is Moenkopi Formation with a Shinarump Conglomerate caprock. The rock ranges in age from Permian at the bottom to Late Triassic at the top. The buttes and mesas of Monument Valley are the result of the Organ Rock Shale being more easily eroded than the overlaying sandstone.

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Rain God Mesa. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers. Summers average 54 days above 90 °F (32 °C) annually, and highs rarely exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Winter temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) are uncommon, though possible. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.

See also

Gallery

  • North aspect North aspect
  • East aspect East aspect
  • Southernmost tip of Rain God Mesa is unofficially called "The Hand". This is the west aspect. Southernmost tip of Rain God Mesa is unofficially called "The Hand". This is the west aspect.
  • Rain God Mesa Rain God Mesa
  • Southeast aspect of The Hand. Southeast aspect of The Hand.

References

  1. ^ "Rain God Mesa - 5,921' AZ". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  2. ^ "Rain God Mesa". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  3. ^ "Rain God Mesa, Peakvisor.com". Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. Monument Valley, City of Aztec, aztecnm.com, Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  5. Monument Valley, Arizona, Arizona Geological Survey, Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. Climate Summary for Kayenta, Arizona

External links

Places adjacent to Rain God Mesa
Mitchell Mesa Camel Butte Spearhead Mesa
Tse Biyi Flats Rain God Mesa Gypsum Creek
Tse Biyi Flats Thunderbird Mesa Totem Pole
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