The sides are formed by upturned strata - twisted, buckled and eroded, they stretch for about eight miles along the canyon, which is part of a metamorphic zone associated with the nearby San Andreas Fault.

If you want to see the effects of earthquake faults up close and personal, then among the spots you will want to visit is Painted Canyon, located in the Mecca Hills just east of Indio. This area is known as the San Andreas Fault Zone due to the numerous faults in close proximity that criss cross the area. https://mavensphotoblog.com/2012/02/28/ ... ed-canyon/