Fantasy Canyon is located almost 25 miles due south of Vernal , inwards northeastern Utah , United States. This small-scale expanse , which is non actually a canyon , is packed amongst roughly of the most uniquely weathered stone formations bearing colorful descriptive names such equally “Flying Witch” , “Screaming Man” as well as “Alien Head”. The site itself is known locally equally “The Devil’s Playground” as well as “Hades Pit” —Hades is the lord of the underworld inwards Greek mythology.
During the Eocene Epoch , almost 38 – fifty ane G one thousand years agone , the Unita Basin was covered past times a large lake called Lake Uinta. Fantasy Canyon was located along what would accept been the due east shore of the lake. The lake began to hit amount amongst sediments from the surrounding expanse as well as the ane time unloosen sands , silts , as well as clays were forged into sandstone as well as shale. Localized uplifting of this stone occurred , as well as this textile began to erode. Because of unlike rates of weathering , the to a greater extent than durable sandstone remained piece the to a greater extent than easily weathered siltstone as well as shale washed away , yielding this spectacular scenery.
Photo credit: James St. John/Flickr
The formations inwards Fantasy Canyon volition eventually weather condition away as well as thence topple as well as erode into sand , exactly novel formations volition seem equally the topsoil washes away. Because the fragile formations are thence fragile the expanse is referred to equally “Nature’s PRC Shop.”
Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
The Flying Witch. Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
Photo credit: rjcox/Flickr
Photo credit: James St. John/Flickr
Photo credit: James St. John/Flickr
Photo credit: James St. John/Flickr
Sources: BLM.gov via Atlas Obscura