Red Rock Canyon State Park

 The geologic story of Red Rock Canyon is told by its unique rock formations. Layers of red and white sediments, creating the accordion-like folds in the cliff faces, are capped with a harder, more resistant black basaltic rock or pink volcanic tuff. These sedimentary and igneous layers were deposited in an ancient inland lake and valley millions of years ago and have subsequently been lifted by the Garlock, El Paso, and Sierra Frontal Faults. Streams and rivers have carved the canyon that we see today with its colorful cliff faces. The red coloring between the layers is an iron oxide (rust) staining. (https://digital-desert.com/red-rock-canyon/geology.html#:~:text=The%20geologic%20story%20of%20Red,iron%20oxide%20(rust)%20staining.&text=Wrightwood%2C%20Ca.&text=Wrightwood%2C%20Ca.,-Canyon%20Cartography)

 What caused the formations in Red Rock Canyon?

Sediment deposits: About 300 million years ago, sand and gravel washed down from the ancestral Rocky Mountains to form alluvial deposits. These shifting sands were buried by other sediments and eventually cemented into sandstone by iron oxide and calcium carbonate. This formation is known as the Aztec Sandstone and forms the cliffs of the Red Rock escarpment.

Faulting: Movement along the El Paso Fault uplifted the sediments, exposing them to erosion that formed the badland topography.

Volcanic eruptions: Volcanic eruptions have also contributed to the formation of Red Rock Canyon.

Flooding: Flooding has also contributed to the formation of Red Rock Canyon.

Winds: Severe winds have also contributed to the formation of Red Rock Canyon. 

Note: This was AI-generated because I could not find authoritative information.