The white plains at Crait made no sense

You've got a thin layer of fine white crystals covering a much deeper layer of red crystal, and yet the plain in front of the Rebel base is as untouched as virgin snow, until the battle at the climax starts. Then it's a case of follow the trails to the enemy and watch as the ground is turned red all over by the disturbance of the battle above and all the gouging and explosions caused by the ships, weapons, etc.

It may look cool, but where was the battle scarring from previous battles? Did it snow white crystals and cover the red ground? Come to think of it, the trails all lead back to the Rebel base, making it easier for the Empire to follow them. Or did Rebel vehicles cover up the red crystal prints with specialist vehicles?

It just seems like an attempt at an exotic alien environment that (as far as I know) just doesn't appear in nature, unless someone can correct me?

Mind you, the "crystal critters" were cool, I thought.