Satellite View Highlights the Volcanic Landscape of Chiricahua

A new NASA image report traces Arizona’s rock formations to an ancient volcanic history.

The Oversize News · Published November 7, 2026
Primary source released 2026-10-28 · News brief & context

A satellite image shows Chiricahua National Park outlined in yellow amid mountainous terrain. Within the park, gray ridges are cut by green, vegetated canyons, two of which are labeled Bonita Canyon and Rhyolite Canyon. To the west, the land is flatter and redder with less vegetation. — Chiricahua’s ridges and vegetated canyons, Landsat 9, July 2, 2026. Image: NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin; Landsat data: USGS. Source and original image.

An orbital perspective

NASA Earth Observatory has released a Landsat 9 view of the Chiricahua landscape in southeastern Arizona. The July 2 image, featured in an October 28 report, shows pale rocky ridges cut by greener stream valleys.

From eruption to erosion

The formations began with major volcanic eruptions around 27 million years ago. Ash and other volcanic material hardened into thick layers of welded tuff. Weathering and erosion later shaped the stone into spires, balanced rocks and canyons.

A landscape at several scales

Individual pinnacles are too small to identify clearly in this broad view. The image instead reveals the arrangement of valleys and ridgelines. The region also brings different desert and mountain environments together, helping explain the variety of vegetation across its terrain.

Reading this report

A satellite image is a useful introduction to the landscape, while ground-level photographs reveal the rock forms visitors recognize. Neither replaces current access information. Check the land manager’s latest guidance before relying on an old image for travel planning.

Source & verification

This independently written summary is based on NASA’s original report, released 2026-10-28. Consult the source for research details, methods and subsequent updates. NASA does not sponsor or endorse this publication.