Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

In geology, "red beds" refer to sedimentary strata that are predominantly red in color and primarily composed of sandstone and shale. These deposits are common in continental settings and can indicate accumulation in arid regions, though they may also represent sediments from rivers or lakes with seasonal rainfall.12

Examples of red beds include the Bunter and Keuper Marl in Germany, and the New Red Sandstone in Britain. Similar deposits are found across India, Australia, South Africa, and Antarctica. Large basins containing Triassic continental sediments, often characterized by red beds, are also present in South America and western North America. These formations can contain fossils such as dinosaur tracks and freshwater crustaceans, suggesting deposition in environments like inland desert basins or river systems draining into lakes.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.