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Beehives
Unusual sandstone formations weathered by the eroding forces of wind and water.
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Park Features
A further geological fascination are the beehives in the Valley of Fire, which have been cut out through millions of years of wind and water erosion. These involve red Aztec sandstones that take the forms of beehives because of their rounded and layered appearance. The actual sandstone material originates from ancient desert sand dunes compacted into rock over time.The beehive shapes are the result of a geological process called "cross-bedding." This is what occurs if layers of sediment are deposited at various angles, normally imposed by wind, which then shows up as patterns in the rock. Wind and rain eroded the softer layers over time, eventually carving the rock into its present shape, resembling that of beehives.
These formations not only provide a peek into the natural history of the area but also create such a striking visual image as to how forces of nature can sculpt a landscape into something so uniquely different.
