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The Park's waters are known for their colorful rocks. This is at Lake McDonald Beach.
The rocks in Glacier National Park are colorful because of their mineral content, particularly iron and copper compounds, which oxidize (rust) to create reds and greens. Different mineral compositions formed under different conditions, with iron-rich rocks turning red from oxidation in oxygen-rich environments, and copper-rich rocks turning green in low-oxygen, deep-water environments.
The rocks in Glacier National Park are colorful because of their mineral content, particularly iron and copper compounds, which oxidize (rust) to create reds and greens. Different mineral compositions formed under different conditions, with iron-rich rocks turning red from oxidation in oxygen-rich environments, and copper-rich rocks turning green in low-oxygen, deep-water environments.
Jul 21 2025