Geologic map of the Bernalillo NW quadrangle, Sandoval County, New Mexico

The Bernalillo NW quadrangle is located in the northern part of the
Albuquerque basin, which is the largest basin or graben within the
Rio Grande rift. The quadrangle is underlain by poorly consolidated
sedimentary rocks of the Santa Fe Group. These rocks are best exposed
in the southwestern part of the quadrangle in the Rincones de Zia, a
badland topography cut by northward-flowing tributary arroyos of the
Jemez River. The Jemez River flows through the northern half of the
quadrangle; extensive fluvial and eolian deposits cover bedrock units
along the river. The structural fabric of the quadrangle is dominated
by dozens of generally north striking, east and west-dipping normal
faults and minor folds associated with the Neogene Rio Grande rift.