Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Palcoyo Mountain

Palcoyo Mountain, 3.5 hours southeast of Cusco. Vivid stripes formed by trace minerals of iron oxide red, bright yellow iron sulphide and varying shades of chlorite green. Over thousands of years, the natural erosion from wind and water exposed various layers of sediment, thereby showing off the different colors.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2022
Date Uploaded: 10.2024
Photo Location: Palcoyo, Peru
Camera: iPhone 12 mini
Copyright: © Heather Tinnerstet