D1165 Mesas at Sunrise Sedona

The mesas of Sedona, Arizona stand in silhouette against a purple sky at sunrise.

Like many of the formations in Sedona, the sandstone and limestone have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years to form these spectacular red rock vistas. The desert landscape was once the bottom of an inland ocean hundreds of millions of years ago. As the climate changed, erosion took its course on the geology of the region.

The famous red rock found in the Sedona area is known as the Schnebly Hill Formation. The striking buttes have become synonymous with the pioneers, cowboys and Native Americans of the 19th century Wild West. Today, the area has become a major landmark and travel destination.