Temple of the Sun, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States

Rock layers formed over millions of years and a massive bend in the Earth's crust give this desert a rare window into geologic history.

This is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, where sandstone cliffs and canyons preserve a striking record of the planet's past.

It was designated as a national park in 1971.

Today's featured image highlights the sandstone monoliths of Cathedral Valley, including the Temple of the Sun, part of this extraordinary, protected landscape.