The sandstone is distinctly layered due to its ancient origins as a massive desert plain and a vast freshwater lake system (known as Lake Orcadie) about 380 to 400 million years ago during the Devonian Period.How it formed: Rivers, winds, and flooding periodically dumped layers of sand, gravel, and mud into the lake.Why it's layered: These sediments built up over time in distinct, horizontal beds—like the rings of a tree. The alternating layers are made of different materials, such as softer sandy sandstones and harder flagstones, which creates the noticeable "striped" profile of the cliffs.