The Vortex of the North Teepees

Photographer: Stan WagonSummary Author: Stan Wagon

The Teepees (North and South) are interesting exposures of Navajo sandstone found not far from the Wave on the Utah/Arizona border. Inside the North Teepees lies a curious formation known as the Vortex. One theory regarding the color variation in its layers is that windstorms of different strength move sand grains of different size. Thus, harder layers eventually form having different porosity, and this leads to different rates of leaching of iron into the sandstone, leading to different shades of red and orange.

North Teepees, Arizona Coordinates: 36.9900, -111.991

Related Links:North TeepeesThe Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone