Organ Rock Shale

Remnants of Organ Rock Shale form many spires in the Maze District's Land of Standing Rocks.

Photo by Mike Hill

 

Deposited:
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)

Depositional Environment:
Marine lowlands, braided streams and tidal flats

Appearance:
Dark red, lumpy mudstones/sandstones (forms towers with protective White Rim caprock)

Examples:
Towers in Monument Basin at the Island in the Sky District as well as in the Land of Standing Rocks in the Maze

 

Rock Strata

• Layer Above: White Rim Sandstone, part of Cutler Group Undivided
• Current Layer: Organ Rock Shale, part of Culter Group Undivided
• Layer Below: Cedar Mesa Sandstone, part of Cutler Group Undivided