The pinnacle or odd-shaped rock left standing by the force of erosion are called Hoodoos. These calcium carbonate rich rock has cemented silt clay together that helps them endure the times. Their beauty has come at a cost of the poor calcium carbonate rock being washed away to form the horizontal grooves and protrusions. First the formations are rock walls called "fins." (An example is seen in the Wall Street formation.) As erosion continually impacts the land one day the fins will be come hoodoos. On thing is for sure, the erosion force of water has made a beautiful, natural sculpture in Bryce Canyon.

The array of colors within the canyon are created by chemical decay. The rock contains small quantities of iron minerals. When the iron oxidizes by being exposed to the air it produces the red colored mineral, hematite, as seen at the Pink Cliffs. The yellow tint, Limonite, is produced by water particles reacting with iron particulates. The blue, purple and lavender colors staining the walls are produced by a minute manganese presence. Pure limestone and dolomite rock create the white color. Now the beautiful, natural sculpture has been painted!