Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands, part of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes. Aerial photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38019
Sunrise over the Skyline Rim, Factory Bench and Lower Blue Hills, Utah. The San Rafael Swell is in the distance.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38026
The Tree of Eons, Utah. The Tree of Eons is a spectacular geologic sight near the San Rafael Swell in Utah. Here the Tree of Eons is seen under the direct light of midday. Erosion has cut a dendritic "tree" through red, blue, purple and white layers of the Chinle formation. The Tree of Eons is a superb example of dendritic erosion and, to really appreciate its complex fractal-like details, must be observed from above.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38201
Aerial View of the San Rafael Reef, Utah. This is a canyon-like section of the San Rafael Reef, photographed at sunrise. The "reef proper" is on the right, with its characteristic triangular flatiron erosion. The canyon in the center is a fold in the Earth's crust affiliated with the boundary of the San Rafael Swell. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 39496
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park. A natural bridge formed by water eroding it from below, Hickman Bridge is one of the most spectacular and easily accessible natural bridges in the United States.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37016