Swirl Walls

 

Nature’s Swirling Masterpiece – A large sandstone canvas of intricate and intertwining swirls.

Sandstone forms when sand deposits in water environments like seas, rivers, or lakes are compressed over time. The weight of overlying sediment pushes the sand grains together, while minerals such as silica, calcite, or iron oxides cement these grains into rock. Patterns in sandstone develop as groundwater carrying dissolved minerals moves through the porous rock, depositing these minerals and creating color variations. This process produces features like Liesegang rings, which are concentric bands of color formed by mineral precipitation. Cross-bedding occurs when sand layers are deposited at angles due to changing water or wind currents. Sometimes geological forces deform these layers before they fully harden, creating folded patterns.