Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Banded Sandstone

The expansive sandstone landscapes found in the western United States are some of the most breathtaking in the world. The impressive spiraling monoliths, jagged cliffs, and deep canyons in the region are awe inspiring in their magnificence, drawing tens of thousands of hikers and tourists to the area each year. Similar to a sunset, the colors found in these sandstone formations commonly feature deep reds, oranges, and yellows. In some locations, these colors alternate in beautiful banded patterns, which resulted from rapid changes in the surrounding environment. Splendid examples of banded sandstone can be viewed in Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon and Nine Mile Canyon in Utah. Sometimes utilized as a gemrock, banded sandstone is occasionally referred to as wonderstone in commercial circles.


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