32 Climate Change and Extreme Heat in the Rocky Mountain Southwest: Impacts, Adaptation, and Geoscience Perspectives

This session explores climate change and extreme heat in the Rocky Mountain Southwest, emphasizing geoscience research, education, and community-based adaptation strategies. We welcome scientists, policy experts, educators, and planners addressing regional climate resilience.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Alvarado F

Impact of Geological Landscaping Materials on Albuquerque's Urban Heat Island Evaluated at the Local Neighborhood Scale

Paper number: 32-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:35 PM – 1:55 PM

Authors

Abstract

Geological landscaping materials are used for many purposes such as paving, xeriscaping, erosion control, improving drainage, and enhancing aesthetics. These materials, usually in the form of boulders, gravels, & sand, are used throughout the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico and may contribute to intensifying the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE).

 

Urban Heat Island (UHIs) are environmental phenomena where metropolitan areas experience higher-than-average temperatures as compared to nearby rural areas. A study of Albuquerque's UHI was conducted from May to August 2025 to evaluate the effect of landscaping rocks and other paving materials on the local environment at the neighborhood scale. A two-mile mobile transect near the Albuquerque International Sunport was designated to evaluate Albuquerque's Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) utilizing hand-held temperature sensors and other meteorological instruments to record surface temperatures of granite, basalt, limestone, sand, soil, and other geological materials in the area.

 

Results indicated geological landscaping materials averaged daily surface temperatures of about 93° degrees Fahrenheit while the airport area experienced average air temperatures of ~8.3° degrees higher than the Tijeras Canyon rural area. Additionally, carbon dioxide levels were collected along the route which initiated further evaluation into how landscaping and paving materials might absorb and re-emit CO2 and heat in the area. As a result, additional research is currently being conducted on how different rocks and concretes absorb and re-emit heat & CO2. This research study indicates how geological landscaping materials and pavements (such as concrete and asphalt) may significantly influence Albuquerque's UHI at the neighborhood scale.

 

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant Award 2246468 [M. Will-Cole PI]

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410575

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