The Painted Hills John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Mitchell Oregon
The Painted Hills, located approximately 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon, are a remarkable geological feature within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This area is renowned for its vibrant layers of red, tan, orange, and black soils, which offer a visual record of climatic changes over millions of years.
These striking colorations result from the oxidation of various minerals in the soil. The red hues indicate iron-rich laterite soils formed during wetter periods, while the yellow and tan layers represent drier epochs. The darker bands contain lignite, a type of coal formed from ancient plant material.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the Painted Hills are significant for preserving fossilized remains of plants and animals from the Eocene epoch, approximately 39 to 30 million years ago. These fossils provide valuable insights into ancient ecosystems and the evolutionary history of the region.