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Still at Sunrise Point now looking SSE.
The rocks of the Claron Formation comprise the spectacular structures that Bryce Canyon is known for. Limestones, which form much of the Claron Formation, are particularly susceptible to weathering and erosion through chemical reactions. Limestone is calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which can react with weak acids, such as the carbonic acid (H2CO3) that naturally occurs in rainwater from interactions between water vapor and carbon dioxide. This weak acid, over long time periods, can dissolve the limestone. Since not all the rocks are composed of limestone, there is uneven weathering, which is exacerbated by physical weathering (such as ice wedging) to create the spectacular structures.
The rocks of the Claron Formation comprise the spectacular structures that Bryce Canyon is known for. Limestones, which form much of the Claron Formation, are particularly susceptible to weathering and erosion through chemical reactions. Limestone is calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which can react with weak acids, such as the carbonic acid (H2CO3) that naturally occurs in rainwater from interactions between water vapor and carbon dioxide. This weak acid, over long time periods, can dissolve the limestone. Since not all the rocks are composed of limestone, there is uneven weathering, which is exacerbated by physical weathering (such as ice wedging) to create the spectacular structures.
Jul 12 2022