Ripple rock formations can be seen throughout the Flinders Ranges. This sandstone deposit near Melrose was formed by wave action in the waters of the Adelaide Geosyncline 650 million years ago.
The ripple sandstone layer was preserved under a subsequent layer of finer sediments deposited in calmer waters, suggesting a rise in sea level, resulting in the siltstone layers (to the left of the image below). This formation was upended 500 million years ago when the Adelaide Geosyncline folded into a mountain chain.
