Rock Strata

This sequence shows the deposited layers from youngest (top) to oldest (bottom). For clarity, the entire record of visible layers in this area is shown, including those not found in Canyonlands. Older rocks are not exposed in southeast Utah, except for Precambrian rocks along the Colorado River in Westwater Canyon. Geologic names are actively debated and vary regionally, so sometimes two names are listed.

Dominant layers in Canyonlands include Navajo Sandstone through the Paradox Formation.

Name of Rock Strata	Geologic Period	Millions of Years Ago
Abajo, Henrys and La Sal Mtns	Tertiary	1.6 to 65
Green River Formation
Wasatch/Claron Formation
Mesa Verde Group	Cretaceous	65 to 144
Mancos Shale
Dakota Sandstone
Burro Canyon/Cedar Mtn
Morrison Formation	Jurassic	144 to 208
Sommerville Formation
Curtis Formation
Entrada Sandstone
Carmel Formation
Navajo Sandstone
Kayenta Formation
Wingate Sandstone
Chinle Formation	Triassic	208 to 245
Moenkopi Formation
White Rim	Permian *Cutler Undivided	245 to 286
Organ Rock Formation
Cedar Mesa Sandstone
Halgaito Shale/Lower Cutler
Honaker Trail Formation	Pennsylvanian	286 to 320
Paradox Formation