The dark brown tippy top bits are part of the Todilto Formation, formed nearly 100 million years ago when the area was at the bottom of a shallow sea. It is mostly limestone, shales, and gypsum. The bigger beige bit below that is part of the Entrada Formation, which we have visited several times in points north of here. It was formed 150 million years ago as sand dunes which metamophosed in to rock. This is the formation which forms the actual amphitheater. The lower, reddish rocks are part of the Chinle Formation, dating back 200 million years when dinosaurs roamed the dense forests in the area.
Index Previous Next
Order prints