The Colorful Sandstone Cliffs of Red Rock Canyon

in #photography7 years ago

Red Rock is part of the Spring Mountains and the amber red Sandstone Bluffs of Red Rock canyon just west of Las Vegas, Nevada. On the far left of the image is Mount Wilson, then Rainbow Mountain and Bridge Mountain.

The great sandstone cliffs at Red Rock, thousands of feet high, are Aztec Sandstone and are estimated to be about 180 – 190 million years old. They are the remains of ancient lithified sand dunes from a vast desert that covered a large part of the Jurassic southwest.
(Research Source)

Lithification is the process of changing unconsolidated sediment into sedimentary rock. The red color striping across some of the outcrops are from iron oxide or hematite when exposure to the elements caused iron minerals to oxidize or “rust,” resulting in red, orange, and brown-colored rocks.
(Research Source)


This image is from my ongoing project in which I am trying to raise awareness of the 47% of the USA and 90% of Canada that remain unpopulated wilderness. 

Where Eagles Fly - The American Wilderness Expedition is my personal mission to introduce people to these amazing locations that surround us.

If you like what you see here then upvote and then resteemit so that others may experience these wondrous places as well.   Yehaw!!

Sort:  

Spectacular... Great photo... The only thing which I would correct is overvalued vignette...

Thanks! I actually used the vignette as an effect in printing the image as it looked really neat on paper so I just decided to publish it like that. I could go either way but I feel it gives dramatic effect.

Another good one :)

Excellent mountain layers in great light, beautiful look! Congratulations skypilot

Thanks so much! Red Rock is a very cool place

These landscapes are so stunning.. I have seen some color mountains when I was iran.. it's amazing what our planet store for us..

I agree! Our little blue marble in space has remarkable places to visit! What a wondrous planet, glad to be here!

Good morning from Macedonia - have a nice day with a lo of amazing photos

Hey ! hello Macedonia!! Good to hear from you

That's awesome! I hope I can visit those places someday.

Thanks for sharing and keep the blue side up!

Funny how we all feel so crowded when in REALITY there's plenty of space for everyone- thanks for the reminder once again @skypilot

Thanks and that is the truth!!

These mountains are extraordinarily beautiful. The striations of iron oxide are stunning. The earth is magnificent in all her splendour.