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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Canyonlands National ParkSeedling in Biological Soil Crust
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Canyonlands National Park
Dakota Sandstone
 
photo: Dakota Sandstone at Hovenweep National Monument
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
Dakota Sandstone at Hovenweep National Monument
 

This layer does not occur in Canyonlands.

Deposited
Early- to mid-Cretaceous (64 to 144 million years ago)

Depositional Environment
Varid from alluvial fans in the south to more marine environments in the north (Book Cliffs).

Appearance
Brown, cross-bedded sandstone

Example
Visible in some areas of Arches National Park. Forms the mesa tops along Highway 666 east of Monticello and around Hovenweep National Monument.
Interactive Geologic Atlas
Interactive Geologic Atlas
Flash animations manage to simplify the story of Canyonlands.
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Tadpole Shrimp  

Did You Know?
Naturally occurring sandstone basins called “potholes” collect rain water and wind-blown sediment, forming tiny ecosystems where a fascinating collection of plants and animals live. Tadpole shrimp, fairy shrimp and many insects can be found in potholes.
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Last Updated: July 11, 2006 at 12:02 EST