37 37' 21 N
112 10' 05 W

Sunset Point overlooks the Bryce Canyon amphitheater, the largest natural amphitheater in the park.

The colorful pillars of rock displayed in the photos below are known as "hoodoos."

A shallow lake deposited the Wasatach Formation that extends throughout southwestern Utah. Alternating silty sediment and lime-rich deposits covered the bottom of the lake. Rock that is lime-rich has a greater resistance to erosion and arid conditions. The lime-poor rocks are more likely to be eroded by precipitation and carried away. The varying degrees of weathering explain the horizontal grooves that make the hoodoos so unique.

The visible bands on the rocks have been created by periods of rain and snow, which trickle down the rock surface loosening and carrying away particles. Because precipitation comes in unevenly distributed cycles, the rock formations undergo many periods of wetting and drying. The park receives about 16 inches of rain per year and can experience extreme temperature differences over night. The constant moisture change and the cycles of freezing and warming add to the erosion process.

Panorama 1 (388 K)

Panorama 2 (437 K)

Panorama 3 (437 K)

Panorama 4 (388 K)

Panorama 5 (679 K)

Click on a thumbnail photo to view a full screen image.

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