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Canyonlands National Park Seedling in Biological Soil Crust
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Canyonlands National Park
Cedar Mesa Sandstone
photo: Spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone in Elephant Canyon (Needles District)
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
Spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone in Elephant Canyon (Needles District)
 

Deposited
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)

Depositional Environment
Near-shore sand dunes interfingering with periodic floods that brought dark red sediments from the ancient Uncompahgre Mountains.

Appearance
Red and white layered sandstones forming cliffs, domes and spires.

Examples
Spires and canyons in the Needles and Maze Districts of Canyonlands.

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Pinyon Pine

Did You Know?
Pinyon pines do not produce pine nuts every year. These delicious nuts can only be harvested every three to seven years. This irregular schedule prevents animals from adapting to an abundance of pine nuts and guarantees that at least some nuts will become new pine trees instead of a quick meal.
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Last Updated: July 01, 2011 at 09:03 MST