Researchers figure out how oddly shaped sandstone landform structures come about

(Phys.org) —A team of researchers with members from facilities in the Czech Republic and one from the U.S. has discovered the mechanism by which unique sandstone landforms take shape. In their paper published in Nature Geoscience, the team describes how their studies of sandstone in their lab led to insights about how both gravity and erosion contribute to the creation of such unique structures as Delicate Arch at Arches National Park in Utah. Chris Paola of the University of Minnesota offers a News & Views piece on the research done by the team in the same journal issue.

For many years, scientists have assumed it was wind and rain along with freezing and thawing that accounted for uniquely shaped sandstone landforms—they occur in many places and generally cause those who see them to take a second—or third look. Many believed they came about because some of the rock was just naturally harder than other parts. The results were sometimes awe inspiring structures that at times appeared to defy gravity. But now, new research suggests that it's actually gravity that allows the structures to form in the first place.

Curious as to the real mechanism by which sandstone landforms take shape, the researchers took several samples into their lab and subjected them to intense scrutiny—after cutting the samples into cubes, they used pressure plates to simulate the loads of real structures while also subjecting them to simulated wind and rain. As the cubes were deformed, close inspection revealed that in the parts of the sandstone subjected to direct pressure (simulated gravity) individual grains tended to lock together creating sections of stone that were more resilient to wind and rain. That led to the creation of pillars within the sandstone that stood strong as the grains around them were swept away. As more free grains were swept away, more pressure was exerted on the column causing the grains in them to lock even tighter.

The team found that when pressure was applied from above to different parts of a cube, and artificial cracks and other perturbations were also introduced to the sandstone, it led to the development of interesting and unique shapes when subjected to simulated erosion. The researchers believe this same action applies to sandstone in its natural state, and accounts for the remarkable shapes that have left those beholding them wondering how they could have formed and then withstood the ravages of wind and rain—it's because their columns have been made strong enough to withstand further weathering.

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