Basin size generally decreases to the north in the rift, though the Española covers approximately north–south and east–west, and the San Luis is roughly . These basins may contain smaller units within them, such as the Alamosa basin within the San Luis, which is bounded by the San Juan and Tusas mountains on the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the east. The Albuquerque basin is the largest of the three basins, spanning north–south and east–west at its widest points. It is the oldest of the three major basins, and contains of Paleogene clastic sediments deposited on Precambrian basement. The southernmost Albuquerque basin contains pre-rift volcanic deposits, while the central and northern portions contain volcanics erupted during rifting. thumb|upright=2|alt=Generalized cross section of the Albuquerque basin|A generalized cross section of the Albuquerque basin from east to west. Note the half-graben geometry, paleozoic and mesozoic sediments that existed pre-rift, and the large (up to 28%) amount of extension. thumb|upright=2|alt=Generalized cross section of the San Luis basin|A generalized cross section of the San Luis basin from east to west. Being further north, this basin has experienced less extension (up to 12%). Also note the lack of pre-rift sediments and thinner profile. In cross-section, the geometry of the basins within the rift are asymmetrical half-grabens, with major fault boundaries on one side and a downward hinge on the other. Which side of the basin has the major fault or the hinge alternates along the rift. The alternation between these half-grabens occurs along transfer faults, which trend across the rift to connect the major basin-bounding faults and occur between basins or, in places, within basins. The Precambrian basement changes relief sharply in this area, from below sea level at the bottom of the Albuquerque basin to above sea level in the nearby Sandia Mountains, which flanks the Albuquerque basin to the east. Flanking mountains are generally taller along the east side of the rift (although some of this relief may be Laramide in origin). The thickness of the crust increases to the north beneath the rift, where it may be as much as thicker than it is in the south. The crustal thickness underneath the rift is on average , thinner by than the Colorado Plateau on the west and the Great Plains to the east.
basin size generally decreases to the north in the rift though the española covers approximately north–south and east–west and the san luis is roughly  these basins may contain smaller units within them such as the alamosa basin within the san luis which is bounded by the san juan and tusas mountains on the west and the sangre de cristo mountains in the east the albuquerque basin is the largest of the three basins spanning north–south and east–west at its widest points it is the oldest of the three major basins and contains of paleogene clastic sediments deposited on precambrian basement the southernmost albuquerque basin contains pre-rift volcanic deposits while the central and northern portions contain volcanics erupted during rifting thumb|upright=2|alt=generalized cross section of the albuquerque basin|a generalized cross section of the albuquerque basin from east to west note the half-graben geometry paleozoic and mesozoic sediments that existed pre-rift and the large (up to 28%) amount of extension thumb|upright=2|alt=generalized cross section of the san luis basin|a generalized cross section of the san luis basin from east to west being further north this basin has experienced less extension (up to 12%) also note the lack of pre-rift sediments and thinner profile in cross-section the geometry of the basins within the rift are asymmetrical half-grabens with major fault boundaries on one side and a downward hinge on the other which side of the basin has the major fault or the hinge alternates along the rift the alternation between these half-grabens occurs along transfer faults which trend across the rift to connect the major basin-bounding faults and occur between basins or in places within basins the precambrian basement changes relief sharply in this area from below sea level at the bottom of the albuquerque basin to above sea level in the nearby sandia mountains which flanks the albuquerque basin to the east flanking mountains are generally taller along the east side of the rift (although some of this relief may be laramide in origin) the thickness of the crust increases to the north beneath the rift where it may be as much as thicker than it is in the south the crustal thickness underneath the rift is on average  thinner by than the colorado plateau on the west and the great plains to the east