This sandstone formation in Zion National Park, Utah, is an example of a sand dune that has, over millions of years, hardened into stone, sometimes referred to as a petrified or frozen sand dune. The horizontal striations are layers of sand that were laid down by wind millions of years ago. Zion is part of the Grand Staircase, an immense sequence of sedimentary rock layers that stretch 200 kilometres from Bryce Canyon to the grand Canyon in the American Southwest. Here in Zion, the layers were laid down overt a 150 million year period before they were thrust upward by the forces of plate tectonics and carved by erosion. Famous for its spectacular scenery, the 24 kilometre-long valley attracts more than three million visitors from throughout the world each year. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Matulavich, Peter |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 8 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
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