The rainbow aspect of Vinicunca is due to "a complex geological history of marine, lake and river

sediments," according to a report from the Office of Cultural Landscape of the Decentralized
Directorate of Culture of Cusco. These sediments, were transported by the water that previously
covered the area, date from between the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, that is, from about 65 to
two million years ago.

Over time, the sediments formed layers (with different sizes of grains) that today are seen as
the stripes that attract tourists so much.

The movement of the tectonic plates in the area raised these sediments until they became
mountains.

Then they were acquiring their striking colors due to the oxidation of their minerals, exerted
by the humidity of the area, and erosion

Pink or fuchsia: mixture of red clay, muddy (mud) and sand.

Whitish: sandstone (quartz sand) and limestone.
Purple or lavender: marl (mixture of clay and calcium carbonate) and silicates.
Red: argillites and clays.
Green: clays rich in ferro-magnesium (a mixture of iron and magnesium) and copper oxide.
Yellowish brown, mustard or golden: limonites, calcareous sandstones rich in sulfur minerals
(combined with sulfur).