Badlands

geology · erosion · desert landscapes · earth science

Water carves the rocks. Badlands form when rain and streams wear away soft sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soil very quickly. Since there are few plants to hold the soil together, the water can carve deep gullies and steep canyons in just a few hundred years.

Dramatic rock shapes. As the soft rocks erode, they create amazing natural sculptures called buttes, hoodoos (tall skinny spires), and jagged ridges. These odd shapes make badlands look like alien landscapes on Earth.

Almost no plants grow. Badlands have very little vegetation because the clay and bare rock don't hold water or nutrients that plants need. The constant erosion also keeps new soil from building up.

Super steep slopes. The slopes in badlands are much steeper than normal hillsides because the soft rock crumbles away faster than hard rock would. Rainwater flows through them quickly, creating a dense network of streams and gullies.

Fossils everywhere. Because badlands are made of sedimentary rock, they often contain fossils of ancient animals and plants. Scientists love studying badlands to learn about prehistoric life.