Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Nation, east of Page, Arizona, United States

Born to rock. International Rock Day

International Rock Day, observed on 13 July, celebrates the geological building blocks beneath our feet and the stories they preserve. From ancient tools to towering mountains, rocks reveal clues about shifting continents, changing climates and the evolution of life over millions of years. Few places showcase nature's artistry as vividly as Antelope Canyon on Navajo Nation land in Arizona, seen in today's image. Formed as flash floods gradually eroded Navajo Sandstone over thousands of years, the canyon's graceful, curving walls showcase the slow but relentless force of nature.

Canadians have their own geologic treasures too. At Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve in Newfoundland and Labrador, ancient rock surfaces preserve some of the world's oldest known large fossils, offering another window into Earth's distant past. Whether tracing prehistoric life or watching sunlight illuminate Antelope Canyon's glowing sandstone, these landscapes remind us that rocks are far more than solid ground—they are enduring records of a planet that has never stopped changing.