One of the most geologically intriguing features of the Colorado Plateau is its remarkable stability. Relatively little rock deformation such as faulting and folding has affected this high, thick crustal block within the last 600 million years or so. In contrast, provinces that have suffered severe deformation surround the plateau. Mountain building thrust up the Rocky Mountains to the north and east and tremendous, earth-stretching tension created the Basin and Range province to the west and south.
This
relatively high semi-arid province produces many distinctive erosional
features such as arches, arroyos, canyons, cliffs, fins, natural bridges,
pinnacles, hoodoos, and monoliths that, in various places and extents,
have been protected. Also protected are areas of historic or cultural
significance, such as the pueblos of the Anasazi culture. There are
nine U.S. National Parks, a National Historical Park, sixteen U.S. National
Monuments and dozens of wilderness areas in the province along with
millions of acres in U.S. National Forests, many state parks, and other
protected lands. In fact, this region has the highest concentration
of parklands in North America. (Source
Wikipedia)
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