Sandstone

Photo Information

(276)

Genre: Landscapes

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 2005-05-14

Camera: Nikon D70, Nikon 18-70mm, HOYA 67.0 mm SCYLIGHT 1B

Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds

Photo Version: Original Version

Theme(s): Sandstone Petra, Jordan, My favorites [view contributor(s)]

Date Submitted: 2005-11-07 9:04

Viewed: 23458

Favorites: 1 [view]

Points: 18

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

Petra is one of the world's most beautiful architectural sites carved from some of the oldest exposed sandstone on Earth (Cambrian and Ordovician sanstone that is 450-550 million years old). However, the sandstone in Petra is typical in that it is comprised of colorless quartz clasts (the particles in sandstone) attached by a matrix binding that is composed of silica (Si), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn) and minor amounts of others (sodium (Na), lithium (Li), etc.). So the colors are only a function of colorants present in the matrix: browns from iron, yellows from Na and Fe, pinks from Na and Li, etc.

These minor matrix elements (ie. Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, etc.) have mobilized and separated into what is commonly called 'Liesegang Banding' (banding in color and composition of ores caused by diffusion). However, the banding has been erroneously (and commonly) attributed to its deposition, but in fact when examined (and often simply observed) the original bedding (from coastal fluvial and dunal deposition) is unrelated to these spectacular colors that are not to be seen in the same way anywhere else on Earth.

In fact the colors are covered by a sort of 'drapery' given by recent and secondary deposition of simple calcium carbonates that are relased from the matrix and then redeposited atop and below the sandstone. This drapery is not very durable and is easily broken-off or eroded.
Source http://www.pa-chouvy.org/Photos/Jordanie/JordaniePetraRoches.htm.
You can see the theme of Jordan.

extramundi, marhowie, thistle, Robbrown, Janice, lovenature, bobair has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

extramundi (13178)
[2005-11-07 10:52]

Hi Ioannis.
Very descriptive & informative shot, beautifully composed and framed. I would love to go to Petra sometime, so thank to bring to me a little piece enclosed in this image. Thanks for sharing. Felipe.

marhowie (486)
[2005-11-07 12:21]

This has to be some of the most colorful sandstone I've ever seen Ioannis. You have captured these wonderful colors, textures and ridge banding very well. Excellent! Thank You.

thistle (9282)
[2005-11-07 12:29]

Superb post!
The photo is very beautiful and the whole post really interesting.
I like it very much.
VERY WELL DONE & TFS

Robbrown (6106)
[2005-11-07 17:24]

Hi Ioannis lovely capture the colours are great for me the only down side is a lack of scence of scale it coould be a vast area or almost a micro peble?
The note is superbly informative TFS yours Robert

coasties (28054)
[2005-11-08 4:32]

Hi Ioannis

Brilliant shot. You have composed this extremely well. Nice colours and use of light. Sharpness and detail are spot on. Well done. Thanks.

Janice (18832)
[2005-11-08 5:02]

Ioannis you show us such an amazing colour variation in this sandstone. I never knew it could be this colour. Thank you for sharing and also for the very interesting notes too.

magiqa (718)
[2005-12-10 17:27]