[3] The thick beds of cross-bedded sandstone are separated by thin layers of siltstone or other softer rock that erodes more easily, forming horizontal recesses.

[6] To the southeast, at the limits of surface exposure, the sandstone intertongues with beds of gypsum, siltstone, and limestone, which continue into the subsurface for another 125 kilometers (78 mi).

[9] Cedar Mesa Sandstone is the remains of coastal sand dunes deposited about 270 to 300 million years ago, during the Wolfcampian (early Permian).

[15][11][16][6] The cross-bedding dips consistently to the southeast, showing that prevailing winds were from the northwest, and the source of the sand making up the sandstone was the shallow sea to the west and north.

This cut off the supply of sand, and wind erosion then eroded the dune field flat at the level of the water table, where a thin soil developed and became vegetated.