Tour of the Tilted Rocks Stop #7

Morrison Formation dates back to the Late Jurassic Period 150 million years ago.

NPS Photo/Conrad Provan

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The distinctively colorful layers help to identify the Morrison Formation, a group of rock layers that occur throughout this region. Paleontologists find this rock attractive for more than its colors; a few of its outcrops contain 150 million year old dinosaur fossils like those found at the Dinosaur Quarry. The formation originated as muds and sands laid down by a network of ancient rivers whose water nourished an abundance of plants, dinosaurs, and other animals. It is thought that during times of drought the river would dry up and there would be massive die-offs. Dinosaur carcasses collected in the river bed. When the rains returned, the river flowed again and transported bones and carcasses then buried them in sand and mud where they were preserved.