Artist's Palette - Death Valley's Colorful Hills
This place can be extremely hot - bring water!

Welcome to one of the most colorful places in Death Valley – the Artist's Palette.

Artist’s Palette is one of the most visually striking locations in Death Valley National Park. Vibrant colors cover the hillsides, creating a landscape reminiscent of a painter’s canvas. These patterns have developed over millions of years through a combination of volcanic activity and geological processes.

The colorful hills formed during the Middle Tertiary period, roughly 5–12 million years ago, when volcanic ash and lava spread across this region. Since then, various natural processes have altered the minerals in the rock, contributing to the range of colors visible today.

The Colors
The variety of hues seen across the rock layers results from changes in the minerals over time, influenced by environmental conditions. Different factors have affected the rocks, leading to a complex mix of colors and textures. Analyses of the layers reveal the presence of many different elements in varying concentrations. Each of these can tint the rocks in distinct ways. These colors are a clue to the specific minerals present in each layer.

Erosion
Over long periods, the hills have been gradually shaped by forces that wear away and redistribute material. You can observe differences in the landscape’s texture and form. These variations suggest that different types of processes have acted on the rock surfaces, altering them in distinct ways. Patterns on the slopes hint at how materials may have been carried downslope or broken apart, slowly changing the overall shape of the hills. This ongoing transformation continues to sculpt the landscape you see today.

Logging this Earthcache
To log this Earthcache, please solve the following tasks and send them to me (Email or Messagecenter, in English!):

1. Identify and describe three different colors you observe in the hills. Describe the texture, layering, and general appearance of the rock in each colored area. Based on your observations, what minerals or elements might be responsible for each color?
2. Examine the surrounding landscape. What types of erosion or weathering features can you see? Based on these observations, what natural forces do you think have contributed to shaping this area?
3. Observe the rock surfaces up close. How would you describe the consistency or structure of the rocks (e.g., soft, crumbly, hard, smooth, fractured)? What might this tell you about the rock’s history or how it formed?
4. Take a photo of yourself (or your user name, mascot etc.) and post with your log (Mandatory).

You can log immediately. You don't have to wait for an answer.

Have fun with the cache!

Mark