Iowa is surprising many drivers because some of its roads are turning pink. I know this sounds like fake news or something similar, but it isn’t! These pink roads are totally real and we can see them in many places of the state. You might think that this is a brand new idea, but the explanation behind this started millions of years ago, way before roads existed. It all has to do with geology: how certain rocks are formed and how they have slowly changed with the passage of time. So, let’s learn more about these pink roads.
What’s happening with Iowa’s pink roads?
In the northwest of Iowa many people have started noticing gravel roads turn pink. Is it because they are getting painted? Maybe it is due to pollution? The reason for these pink roads is that the roads were built years ago by using a rock called Sioux quartzite, which naturally has pink or reddish tones.
When this rock is placed in these roads, its real color is not immediately seen. This happens because the rocks tend to be covered in dust or lighter minerals that hide the pink tone. So, when the roads were originally built, they didn’t have any special color.
However, with the passage of time, nature does its job. The rain, the sun, the wind, and the vehicles that go over and over again on the road wear that superficial layer away. Therefore, the dust and minerals slowly disappear, and the natural color of the rock comes out. This is the reason why it seems the roads are suddenly turning pink, but it’s a process that started a long time ago.
Places where these pink roads are seen
Even though this phenomenon has become popular in Iowa, it’s not something exclusive to the state. This can happen anywhere where local rocks with reddish or pinkish tones are used to build the roads. Other places where something similar to Iowa’s roads happens are:
- Minnesota and South Dakota: These states also use quartzite in road construction, so their roads can turn pink as well.
- Utah and Arizona: These states often use red sandstone or volcanic rock, which creates reddish tones over time.
- Colorado: Some rural areas use red sandstone or granite that becomes more colorful as it weathers.
Apart from the U.S., colorful roads have been seen in countries like Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and the U.K., where people are also surprised with these natural colors.
Why this rock is used to build roads
This pink color might be appealing, but the reason why this rock is used to build rocks is more practical than aesthetic since the Sioux quartzite is:
- Very strong and durable: It can last for years under traffic and harsh weather.
- Easy to find locally: In Iowa and nearby states, it lies close to the surface.
- Cost-effective: Builders don’t need to transport materials from far away.
Because it’s so sturdy and accessible, this type of rock is used for many other purposes:
- Landscaping
- Monuments and statues
- Riverbank erosion control
- Supporting railroad tracks
- Rock gardens
- Glass and ceramic production
Now, you can better understand why this material is so common in areas where it appears naturally.
Are these pink roads dangerous?
Not at all! Even though its color may catch your attention, there’s nothing dangerous about it. Iowa has very strict rules for road safety and these tones don’t affect driving.
In fact, these pink shades offer something unexpected: a glimpse into the earth’s ancient past. They remind us that beneath the surface, Iowa’s landscape holds rocks formed millions of years ago—now slowly revealing their true colors.