“Everything is made out of water and sand,” the guide told us, adding that wind erosion had also formed some of the rock formations in the upper part of the canyon and that the silky smooth appearance deep inside indicated that the formations were formed by water erosion. As the water started to dissipate or evaporate, sand dunes were formed, later going through a process of compression, and ultimately forming into the beautiful layers that exist in the Lower Antelope Canyon today. The Stories Are FascinatingĪs we started our tour, our guide told us that over 500 million years ago, the entire region around Antelope Canyon was underwater. Sandstone erosionPhoto credit: Cindy Barks 6.