PHOTO PATTERN DATA ELEMENTS: SANDSTONE/SHALE/LIMESTONE
The Southern Rockies- A part of the Front Range, this is a rolling upland of complex
mountains facing the upturned edges of the Great Plains; there are hogback ridges of
vertical to near vertical sandstone and other formations.
Form
Ridge/Valley, parallel hogback ridges separated by flatbottomed valleys. Tilted sandstones and shales with thin
limestones forming one limb of a plunging anticline. Great
Plains outwash deposits appear along eastern slopes of the
Rockies. One ridge of sandstone appears as a vertical bed
indicating a very tight fold.
Drainage
Consequent streams form modified trellis pattern.
Gully Characteristics
Sharp V’s represent the resistant sandstone ledges having short,
steep gradients.
Special Features
Parallel hogback ridges.
Color (Photo Gray
Light to medium.
Tones)
Land Use
Farming on flatter areas.
Vegetation
Scattered scrub growth on ridges.
Source: Terrain analysis procedural guide for surface configuration, US Army engineer
topographic laboratories, p. 7-93