Pothole Point - 2008
Pothole Point - 2008
The slick rock sandstone in Canyonlands erodes from wind, rain and ice. Rainwater collects in low spots and, in winter, freezes. The ice expands and fractures the sandstone and the wind and rain take away the debris. The low spots grow into potholes and collect more rainwater.
In drought, these potholes can remain dry for years, but when there is enough water, life appears from nothing. Fairy shrimp, tadpoles and other crustaceans spring to life scurrying about to eat and have sex before they die when the water evaporates.