White Rim Sandstone

White Rim Sandstone layer is more resistant to erosion. It's visible as large chunks and caprocks sitting atop the more easily eroded Organ Rock Shale.

NPS/Chris Wonderly

 

Deposited:
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)

Depositional Environment:
Wind-blown beach sands

Appearance:
White, cross-bedded sandstones forming cliffs and caprocks

Examples:
White canyon rim marking the inner gorge of the Colorado and Green rivers at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands

 

Rock Strata

• Layer Above: Moenkopi Formation
• Current Layer: White Rim Sandstone, part of Cutler Group Undivided
• Layer Below: Organ Rock Shale, part of Culter Group Undivided