Sandstones in the Permian of Arizona, USA.
This spectacular canyon in Arizona has sheer walls of Permian-aged De Chelly Sandstone (pronounced "De Shay"). Most of the unit consists of horizontally-bedded and cross-bedded quartzose sandstones representing ancient sand sheets and desert sand dunes. A vast sand dune "sea" was present at the time - such an environment is called an "erg" (a modern example is northern Africa's Sahara Desert). The reddish-brown coloration is from hematite (iron oxide, Fe2O3). Dark-colored desert varnish partially covers many cliff faces here. The canyon floor is moderately lush with greenery and has some agricultural plots.
Stratigraphy: De Chelly Sandstone, Leonardian Stage, Lower Permian
Locality: view from Antelope House overlook (Navajo Fortress overlook) (looking downstream), northern rim of "Canyon del Muerto" (= Canyon of the Dead), Canyon de Chelly National Monument, northeastern Arizona, USA
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