I think this is a good example of the disintegration of a Chinle formation. It's interesting that there seems to be a rock ledge in between the layers.

Thick sand, silt and gravel deposits laid down millions of years ago by an ancient river system have re-emerged as colorful badland hills, broad mesas and distinctively shaped buttes. Resulting from extensive erosion, layers of exposed betonite and sandstone are interlaced with various minerals which stain the landscape in shades of red, blue, purple, grey, green and brown. Bentonite clay, one of the main components of the Chinle Formation, swells nearly seven times its size as it absorbs moisture, then shrinks and cracks as it dries. It's this constant movement of area soil that discourages any type of plant growth.