This indicates that the sands of the Coconino covered the Hermit while the latter was still substantially saturated with water. Susequent drying caused the cracks to open, allowing the Coconino sands to filter down from above. The city of Sedona is built near the top of the Hermit Formation. This layer contains fossils of land plants, such as ferns and conifers, with occasional fossilized insects, worm burrows, and invertebrate tracks. The Supai Sandstone--or Supai "Group"--was formed between and million years ago, and is between and feet thick.
It consists predominantly of shale and sandstone with some limestone mixed in. Subdivisions include:. In the Grand Canyon region the Supai Group contains fossils of reptiles. Marine fossils predominate further west, where it passed below sea level. Fossil content in the Sedona region is unknown. Formed between and million years ago, the Redwall Limestone is the lowest strata visible in the Sedona region. It is dark brown in color, up to to feet thick, and can contain fossils of brachiopods, clams, snails, fish, and trilobites.
In the Grand Canyon region the Redwall Limestone is known to contain several extensive cave complexes. In the Sedona region no caves are known or at least no caves are publicly acknowledged. However, there are several locations near Sedona in which sinkholes have formed in the overlying Schnebly Hill and Hermit strata. One example is the huge Devil's Kitchen sinkhole, which collapsed in the late s and is almost feet deep.
The wide-ranging and shifting tides along the shoreline washed over and flattened the coastal dunes into horizontal layers called the Bell Rock Member of the Schnebly Hill Formation. Today, the gray Ft. Apache Member of the Schnebly Hill Formation is present within thick layers of red sandstone. This seaway finally retreated southeast, and coastal dunes once again crept into the area from the northwest, leaving the Sycamore Pass Member of the Schnebly Hill Formation.
All the while, as more sand entered the basin. Eventually, the shoreline was hundreds of miles away and inland dunes rather than coastal dunes became dominant. These inland dunes are preserved as the Coconino Sandstone and are the white layers of sandstone that cap many of the red rocks in this area. After an intense summer rain, Oak Creek swells with run-off, carrying much sand, gravel, and boulders downstream.
Events such as these are powerful agents of erosion, removing rocky debris that comes down from the cliffs above. Photo by Rob Harrison. Finally, between million years ago, a different seaway came in, this time from the northwest.
At first, salty mudflats were present which deposited the Toroweap Formation. As this sea moved eastward and flooded the area in seawater once again, it left a limestone layer called the Kaibab Formation. Who gave them names is unknown but the name of each major formation resembles its shape. For example, the character Snoopy from the popular Peanuts comic strip lies on top of his doghouse. Another is Lucy , also from the Peanuts comic strip.
Native Americans consider the Sedona area as sacred and mystical. Tribal Shamans traveled to Sedona for thousands of years to pray, seek guidance and alignment for their people.
Today, the New Age group believes the "Vortex Spots" in Sedona emmenate magnetic fields of energy that have healing powers and clears the mind, body and soul. There are many, many vortex locations but the most famous and most accessible convenience are the red rock monoliths of Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock in addition to Boynton Canyon and Airport Mesa. The Chapel of the Holy Cross area is also considered a popular vortex location.
New Age settlers and spiritual seekers have found Sedona a very desirable location for healing and emotional rejuvenation. In the mids they proclaimed their discovery of four major electromagnetic energy sources called vortexes. Today a community of alternative healing practitioners provide a varied schedule of workshops and events. When the day wanes, and the jeep tour, hiking and shopping have taken their toll, visitors turn their attention to the magnificent sunsets.
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