San Rafael Swell Photos

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The Tree of Eons, a spectacular dendritic formation in the Bentonite Hills of Utah. Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, ancient Bentonite layers are exposed through erosion in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes.  Photographed just before sunrise with soft pre-dawn illumination. Aerial panoramic photograph
The Tree of Eons, a spectacular dendritic formation in the Bentonite Hills of Utah. Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, ancient Bentonite layers are exposed through erosion in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes. Photographed just before sunrise with soft pre-dawn illumination. Aerial panoramic photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 37951  
Panorama dimensions: 11000 x 15000
Aerial photo of the San Rafael Reef at dawn.  A fold in the Earth's crust leads to this inclined section of the San Rafael Reef, at the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell.  Clearly seen are the characteristic triangular flatiron erosion patterns that typical this formation. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone
Aerial photo of the San Rafael Reef at dawn. A fold in the Earth's crust leads to this inclined section of the San Rafael Reef, at the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. Clearly seen are the characteristic triangular flatiron erosion patterns that typical this formation. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 39787  
Pre-Dawn over the Tree of Eons, Utah. The Tree of Eons is a spectacular geologic sight near the San Rafael Swell.  Erosion has cut a "tree" through red, blue, purple and white layers of the Chinle formation. The Tree of Eons is a superb example of dendritic erosion and to really appreciate the complex fractal-like details it must be observed from above.  Photographed here in the soft, predawn light, it takes on magenta, red and purple hues just before the sun reaches it. Aerial panoramic photograph
Pre-Dawn over the Tree of Eons, Utah. The Tree of Eons is a spectacular geologic sight near the San Rafael Swell. Erosion has cut a "tree" through red, blue, purple and white layers of the Chinle formation. The Tree of Eons is a superb example of dendritic erosion and to really appreciate the complex fractal-like details it must be observed from above. Photographed here in the soft, predawn light, it takes on magenta, red and purple hues just before the sun reaches it. Aerial panoramic photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38027  
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns of Bentonite layers, seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes into layers, now revealed through erosion. Aerial photograph
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns of Bentonite layers, seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes into layers, now revealed through erosion. Aerial photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 37947  
Molly's Castle, aerial view, Goblin Valley State Park. Curtis Formation whiteish caprock is on top, with reddish Entrada Sandstone below, both of Jurassic era.  Molly's castle lies in the San Rafael desert near Goblin Valley, and drains into the Colorado River watershed. Aerial panoramic photograph
Molly's Castle, aerial view, Goblin Valley State Park. Curtis Formation whiteish caprock is on top, with reddish Entrada Sandstone below, both of Jurassic era. Molly's castle lies in the San Rafael desert near Goblin Valley, and drains into the Colorado River watershed. Aerial panoramic photograph.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 37950  
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37011  
Aerial photo of the San Rafael Reef at dawn.  A fold in the Earth's crust leads to this inclined section of the San Rafael Reef, at the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell.  Clearly seen are the characteristic triangular flatiron erosion patterns that typical this formation. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone
Aerial photo of the San Rafael Reef at dawn. A fold in the Earth's crust leads to this inclined section of the San Rafael Reef, at the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell. Clearly seen are the characteristic triangular flatiron erosion patterns that typical this formation. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 39784  
Molly's Castle, aerial view, Goblin Valley State Park, Mollys Castle
Molly's Castle, aerial view, Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Mollys Castle, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 38016  
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes. Aerial photograph
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands. The Bentonite Hills are composed of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes. Aerial photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38029  
Factory Butte at sunrise. An exceptional example of solitary butte surrounded by dramatically eroded badlands, Factory Butte stands alone on the San Rafael Swell, Hanksville, Utah
Factory Butte at sunrise. An exceptional example of solitary butte surrounded by dramatically eroded badlands, Factory Butte stands alone on the San Rafael Swell.
Location: Factory Butte, Hanksville, Utah
Image ID: 38054  
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands, part of the Chinle Formation formed during the Upper Triassic Period.  Aerial photograph
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands, part of the Chinle Formation formed during the Upper Triassic Period. Aerial photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38177  
Aerial View of the San Rafael Reef, Utah.  This is a canyon-like section of the San Rafael Reef, photographed at sunrise. The "reef proper" is on the right, with its characteristic triangular flatiron erosion. The canyon in the center is a fold in the Earth's crust affiliated with the boundary of the San Rafael Swell.  The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone
Aerial View of the San Rafael Reef, Utah. This is a canyon-like section of the San Rafael Reef, photographed at sunrise. The "reef proper" is on the right, with its characteristic triangular flatiron erosion. The canyon in the center is a fold in the Earth's crust affiliated with the boundary of the San Rafael Swell. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 39497  
Panorama dimensions: 4490 x 8439
Factory Butte at sunrise, aerial photo, Utah. An exceptional example of solitary butte surrounded by dramatically eroded badlands, Factory Butte stands alone on the San Rafael Swell, Hanksville
Factory Butte at sunrise, aerial photo, Utah. An exceptional example of solitary butte surrounded by dramatically eroded badlands, Factory Butte stands alone on the San Rafael Swell.
Location: Factory Butte, Hanksville, Utah
Image ID: 38076  
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37012  
Panorama dimensions: 5985 x 11815
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands, part of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes.  Aerial photograph
Fantastic colorful sedimentary patterns, Bentonite layers are seen as striations exposed in the Utah Badlands, part of the Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. This layer was formed during Jurassic times when mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash were deposited in swamps and lakes. Aerial photograph.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38019  
Sunrise over the Skyline Rim, Factory Bench and Lower Blue Hills, Utah. The San Rafael Swell is in the distance
Sunrise over the Skyline Rim, Factory Bench and Lower Blue Hills, Utah. The San Rafael Swell is in the distance.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38026  
The Tree of Eons, Utah. The Tree of Eons is a spectacular geologic sight near the San Rafael Swell in Utah.  Here the Tree of Eons is seen under the direct light of midday.  Erosion has cut a dendritic "tree" through red, blue, purple and white layers of the Chinle formation. The Tree of Eons is a superb example of dendritic erosion and, to really appreciate its complex fractal-like details, must be observed from above
The Tree of Eons, Utah. The Tree of Eons is a spectacular geologic sight near the San Rafael Swell in Utah. Here the Tree of Eons is seen under the direct light of midday. Erosion has cut a dendritic "tree" through red, blue, purple and white layers of the Chinle formation. The Tree of Eons is a superb example of dendritic erosion and, to really appreciate its complex fractal-like details, must be observed from above.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 38201  
Aerial View of the San Rafael Reef, Utah.  This is a canyon-like section of the San Rafael Reef, photographed at sunrise. The "reef proper" is on the right, with its characteristic triangular flatiron erosion. The canyon in the center is a fold in the Earth's crust affiliated with the boundary of the San Rafael Swell.  The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone
Aerial View of the San Rafael Reef, Utah. This is a canyon-like section of the San Rafael Reef, photographed at sunrise. The "reef proper" is on the right, with its characteristic triangular flatiron erosion. The canyon in the center is a fold in the Earth's crust affiliated with the boundary of the San Rafael Swell. The colors seen here arise primarily from Navajo and Wingate sandstone.
Location: Utah
Image ID: 39496  
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park. A natural bridge formed by water eroding it from below, Hickman Bridge is one of the most spectacular and easily accessible natural bridges in the United States
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park. A natural bridge formed by water eroding it from below, Hickman Bridge is one of the most spectacular and easily accessible natural bridges in the United States.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37016  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36955  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36956  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36957  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36958  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36959  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36960  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36961  
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park.
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Image ID: 36962  
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37009  
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37010  
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park
Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park.
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Image ID: 37013  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.