Interpretive Sign - Fiery Furnace

Colored by Iron Most of the rocks in Arches National Park owe their brilliant color to the presence or absence of iron. When iron oxidizes, similar to a nail rusting, it gives the rock a red color like here at the Fiery Furnace, where the sandstone fins glow like flames at sunset. Bands of white occur where water has removed the iron or bleached the rock through chemical reaction. Black, brown, or deep metallic purple streaks on stone faces are created by iron oxide, manganese oxide and clay interacting with bacteria and water. Green rocks form in an oxygen poor environment, such as a shallow lake, where iron is in a reduced or ferrous state. Over millions of years the many colors of iron have painted the landscape of Arches National Park into the work of art visible today. Trail Information A short path to the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint offers views of the Fiery Furnace, Salt Valley and the La Sal Mountains. Entry into the Fiery Furnace is restricted. For information on how to reserve a ranger-led tour visit www.recreation.gov, or stop at the Arches Visitor Center to learn about special hiking permits.