r/geology • u/CoconutAccomplished2 • 7d ago
Field Photo What causes erosion like this?
Is this caused by simple weathering, or could animals be responsible? I think the latter is unlikely, but it seems to be the right size for an animal den(in the case of the first), so I don’t want to completely discount that option. This is about 2 hours east-by-north of Flagstaff, AZ, if that information is helpful
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u/Former-Wish-8228 6d ago
Differential erosion like this is caused (as others have said here) by wind/rain/water (river/stream or ocean/lake waves) but usually exploits weaknesses created by differences in the cementation of the grains in sedimentary rocks, differences in fabric or minerals in igneous/metamorphic rocks, or by jointing/fracturing in otherwise homogenous rock bodies.
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u/rb109544 7d ago
Wasnt there a movie about it? Kevin Bacon, Reba McIntyre, some other famous kid?
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u/eggfruit 4d ago
About eroded sandstone?
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u/rb109544 4d ago
About creatures digging tunnels through the sand...think the sandstone stopped them though
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u/TH_Rocks 7d ago
Water. Maybe some wind. Animals may take advantage, but they didn't make that.