If you are the type of person that enjoys visiting beautiful desert locations, there are none that are as impressive as Monument Valley. It is part of the Colorado Plateau, one that has many different sandstone buttes, some of which are as high as 1000 feet. If you are traveling through Arizona or Utah, and you are close to the Four Corners area, you are very close to this location. It has been seen in many movies, specifically Westerns, creating those iconic backdrops. Let’s discuss the geography and geology of the region, and provide you with a few other Monument Valley facts that you ought to know.
The Geography And Geology Of Monument Valley
This area is relatively high in elevation, reaching up to 6000 feet. It is a siltstone region, one that has a substantial amount of sand, and it was carved out by rivers long ago. Like many areas of Arizona, such as in the Sedona region, there is a large amount of red color. This is the result of iron oxide, that which is exposed to the air causing this to occur, and is part of the siltstone that makes up most of the area. There are other colors that you will see which are predominated including bluegray rocks. These are the result of manganese oxide. These are stratified structures, buttes that consist of three different layers, made up of shale, sandstone, and conglomerate materials.
Some Of The More Prominent Features Of This Valley
Some of the more popular buttes include the Eye Of The Sun, Elephant Butte, and the Three Sisters. There is also John Ford’s point, a place that was named after one of the most popular actors in Westerns that were filmed in this location. Others include Camel Butte, the Mittens, and also the Hub. In general, it looks like what would be at the bottom of a lake, or perhaps an old ocean, primarily because of the weathering and stratified layers that can be seen in the buttes that.the region.
Other Things To Know About Monument Valley
One of the most well-known American Indian tribes inhabited this area. They were called the Anastasi. They were said to have disappeared hundreds of years ago, and there are well over 100 different sites where there is evidence of their occupation. This was subsequently populated by the Navajo Indians, and today it is a national park which really has no compare. If you have any interest in going to this beautiful location, it is best to travel there during the late spring and early summer, a time before it gets excessively hot in this region.
If you have not been to Monument Valley before, you are certainly going to enjoy your time. It is recommended that you spend at least a few days so that you can explore the region. It is one of the more iconic aspects of the United States, and is forever a part of their culture. This is due to how people identify with this region when thinking of the times when cowboys were moving across the region, along with the early settlers. If you have the time this year, definitely explore Monument Valley, one of the top destinations for anyone that enjoys nature and National Parks alike. These Monument Valley facts should motivate you to at least drive through this testament to the power of nature.
Related posts:
Have you ever been to Death Valley? If not, then you'll want to learn what some of the top Death Valley attractions are. With that said, some of the top attractions you should check out in Death Valley are: Badwater Basin One of the most popula...
The History of Mono Lake can be found online in a multitude of places, but it is worth your time to take a trip to Mono County and view it yourself. Mono Lake is situated in East-Central California right on the Nevada border. It is surrounded on thre...
If you are looking for Yellowstone National Park camping tips you have come to the right place. Camping is a great way to spend time in the great outdoors, but there are a few things that you will want to consider and plan for before you embark on yo...
America is a beautiful country with many hidden gems. As the summer creeps in, what better way to enjoy the sun than to set off on a road trip? All you need is a car, amazing friends and fantastic music to take on the adventure. There are so many pla...
There are many really interesting and unique national parks out there, but for those who really love to mark their checklist of the most different options, then going to visit Death Valley National Park should be high on that list of upcoming park de...
If you will be traveling into the state of Utah this year, you may want to visit a place called Arches National Park. It is an outstanding location, located close to Moab, on the east side of the state. It is close to Canyonlands National Park, but m...