The Rocks

(Photo by Bill Harris)

          The Tintic Quarztite in a mildly metamorphosed sandstone.  It is a very well sorted quartz sand, probably deposited in a near shore beach environment.  The most distinct sedimentary structure visible in the rock is the cross-stratification of layers of sand.  These cross beds have formed at a low angle, suggesting a shallow water environment.  Longshore currents near the beach could form such structures.  They are also fairly small compared to wind blown cross stratification structures.   These crossbeds stand vertical because the rocks have been folded and deformed due to compressional forces.

 

Cross-stratification animation

(Animation produced by BYU Center for Instructional Design, Tom Morris and Vicky Manning)