New Mexico's El Malpais area is a land of volcanic wonders. This badlands wilderness includes huge cinder cones, jagged lava fields, miles of underground lava tubes and year-round ice caves.
Another natural feature found nearby the Cebollita Canyon Wilderness is the La Ventana Arch, one of Mexico's largest natural windows. This arch is found adjacent Route 117, just about 12 miles south of Grants. Although the arch area is surround by lava fields, here the arch is composed of Zuni sandstone. Compressed sand dunes were eventually hardened enough to become a soft rock, easily eroded by wind, water and frost wedging. Deep cracks found in the rock allow water to penetrate. When water is expanded by freezing temperatures, rock fragments are forced away, forming the arch face. The talus slope below the arch reminds us that one day, in the distant future, the arch will fade away, piece by piece.