Badlands are a type of arid terrain with clay-rich soil that has been extensively eroded by wind and water. Canyons, ravines, gullies, hoodoos and other such geological forms are common in badlands. Badlands usually have a spectacular color display that alternates from dark black/blue coal stria to bright clays to red scoria.

The term "badlands" probably originated in a couple of ways. The Lakota called the topograpy "mako sica", literally "bad lands", and French trappers called it "les mauvaises terres à traverser" - "the bad lands to cross". The naming is apt. Badlands form in areas of infrequent but intense rainshowers and sparse vegetation, a recipe for devastating erosion. The landscape contains steep slopes, loose soil, and clay, all of which inhibit easy travel.

Some of the most famous fossil beds are found in badlands, where the forces of erosion have exposed the sedimentary layers and the lack of vegetation cover makes surveying relatively easy.

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@BlackHills thanks we will be there in late June. We prob need a hotel due to late arrival. It should be awesome badlands under full moon
smithcd05 (Chris) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:08:31 -0000
@BlackHills thanks we will be there in late June. We prob need a hotel due to late arrival. It should be awesome badlands under full moon
picked up terrence malick's film 'badlands' for £3 on dvd..... bargain!
bermans (john howarth) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:05:09 -0000
picked up terrence malick's film 'badlands' for £3 on dvd..... bargain!
Me and my jason mask. Getting winter white gear on to hunt in the badlands. @majbc1 @mikezent that coyote was http://tweetphoto.com/7618399
publicrelations (Shelle Michaels) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:01:42 -0000
Me and my jason mask. Getting winter white gear on to hunt in the badlands. @majbc1 @mikezent that coyote was http://tweetphoto.com/7618399
Large antelope herd out in the badlands. At least 100. @majbc1 @mikezent http://tweetphoto.com/7618258
publicrelations (Shelle Michaels) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:59:24 -0000
Large antelope herd out in the badlands. At least 100. @majbc1 @mikezent http://tweetphoto.com/7618258
@stevefinbow How does one go about purchasing "Balzac of the Badlands?"
patrickmj (patrickmj) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:44:38 -0000
@stevefinbow How does one go about purchasing "Balzac of the Badlands?"
at the badlands.. The turbo hill is amazing.
beatz6 (Megan Beadles) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:56:23 -0000
at the badlands.. The turbo hill is amazing.

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