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Canyonlands National Park - Chinle Formation

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The Chinle Formation is composed of the Shinnarump and Moss Back members. Each has different characteristics due to changes in the depositional environment.

Deposited
Triassic Period (208 to 245 million years ago)

Depositional Environment
Tropical streams, lakes and swamps

Appearance
Multi-colored slopes of clay with dark brown sandstone ledges (Moss Back)

Notes
Uranium is often found in the Moss Back Member of the Chinle. Though most Uranium mines are in the Morrison Formation , the famous Mi Vida mine in Lisbon Valley was in the Chinle. The multi-colored clays in the Chinle are bentonite (volcanic ash).

Example
Talus slopes immediately below the Wingate cliffs at the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands.

::Highlights

∙ Island in the Sky

∙ The Maze District

∙ The Needles

::Lodging

::Maps

::Park Info

∙ Geology

- Desert Varnish

- Grabens

- Needles Geology

- Upheaval Dome

- Green River Formation

- Mesa Verde Group

- Mancos Shale

- Dakota Sandstone

- Burro Canyon

- Morrison Formation

- Sommerville

- Curtis Formation

- Entrada Formation

- Carmel Formation

- Navajo Sandstone

- Kayenta Formation

- Wingate Sandstone

- Chinle Formation

- Moenkopi Formation

- Cutler Group

- Cutler Undivided

- Honaker Trail Formation

- Paradox Formation

- White Rim Sandstone

- Organ Rock Shale

- Cedar Mesa

- Rock Strata

∙ Plants and Wildlife

∙ Nature and Science

::Planning

∙ Fees

∙ Plan Your Visit

∙ Camping

∙ Climate

∙ Activities

∙ Contacts

::Books

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Canyonlands National Park - Chinle Formation