Layers and Depositional Environment

Canyonlands National Park

You may have noticed how unique the layers are in Canyonlands National Park and how deep and colorful they are. The layers in this Park hold a fascinating geologic history. The layers formed over millions of years through deposition and erosion. Wind and water carried the broken rock pieces from mountain ranges nearby. From there, they were deposited into rivers, lakes, salt flats, dunes, and swamps. Over time, the sediments were compacted and cemented together by leftover minerals, turning them into sedimentary rock layers. Through millions of years of erosion, it shaped the beautiful landscape we see today. Rain and water have eroded the rock and carried it into the Colorado River. Snow in the wintertime freezes and breaks off chunks of sandstone as well. To see and learn more, read below at the specific sections included.

Canyonlands Natural History Association 2022

Layers Diagram of Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands Natural History Association. https://cnha.org/visit/arches-national-park/things-to-know/geology/

White Rim Overlook Trail. Photo by Matt and Cheryl. (2024). https://wereintherockies.com/white-rim-overlook/

Here are some layers from Canyonlands National Park

Wingate Sandstone-Triassic, about 225 million years ago

This thick, red sandstone forms the iconic cliffs and mesas in Canyonlands. Ancient wind-blown dunes deposited it in a desert environment.

Kayenta Formation-Jurassic, about 200 million years ago

This formation is a mixture of sandstone and shale deposited by rivers in a floodplain environment. It formed the lower slopes and benches of Canyonlands.

Navajo Sandstone-Jurassic, about 190 million years ago

This thick layer of light-colored sandstone forms the steep, towering cliffs in Canyonlands. It was deposited in a massive dune field during the Jurassic period.

Moenkopi Formation-Triassic, about 250 million years ago

The Moenkopie Formation is composed of red and purple shale, sandstone, and siltstone. The formation was deposited in coastal and desert environments.

Brittnee Lewis. (2022). Canyonlands Needles District Layers. Canyonlands Nation Park

Depositional Environment

The White Rim consists of three types of eolian deposits: dune, interdune, and sabkha.
The Lower Permian White Rim Sandstone Member was deposited during a period of marine transgression when the area of Canyonlands National Park was exposed to alternating marine and nonmarine conditions.
Shallow marine and mud flats, evaporites, flood plains, and dry deserts are also a part of Canyonlands National Park's Depositional environment.
Rain and snowmelt also erode the rock, carrying sediment down washes and canyons.

Brittnee Lewis. (2022). Canyonlands Needles and Island in the Sky District Layers. Canyonlands Nation Park

Image 1: Canyonlands Natural History Association (2022) https://cnha.org/visit/arches-national-park/things-to-know/geology/

Image 2: Layers Diagram of Canyonlands National Park (2024). Canyonlands Natural History Association. https://cnha.org/visit/arches-national-park/things-to-know/geology/

Image 3: White Rim Overlook Trail. Photo by Matt and Cheryl. (2024). https://wereintherockies.com/white-rim-overlook/

Image 4-7: Brittnee Lewis. (2022). Canyonlands Layers. Canyonlands Nation Park

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