How was the Grand Canyon Made?
The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a massive canyon made of red rock that is located in northern Arizona. The Grand Canyon was made by the Colorado River that still sits at the bottom of the canyon. This river has run along this same path for the last 2 billion years and has been carving the red rock to create a mind blowing canyon! As the river slowly eroded away at the rock it had to cut through more than 20 layers of rock. The canyon is 18 miles wide at its widest point and is around 277 miles long.
How deep is the Grand Canyon?
Many people often ask themselves how deep is the Grand Canyon? The answer is that it varies from area to area along the canyon but on average the canyon is 4,000 feet deep. The deepest point in the canyon is 6,000 feet deep! The Canyon is not only magnificent because it shows how the elements can slowly shape the landscape over millions of years but it also boasts some of the most amazing geology and ecosystems that you will ever see.
Science and the Grand Canyon
There are several major ecosystems that are present in the Grand Canyon and the geological significance is equally as impressive. The Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geological landscapes in the world and this is because geologist can study three eras of geological time in the canyon walls! Not to mention there is a great fossil record, crazy geologic features and numerous rock types for scientists to study. Another important resource that the canyon has is the large number of caves that are not only geologically significant but they also are archeologically and biologically significant as well. Scientists and archeologists can study the area to better understand what life was like thousands of years ago based on what they observe in the landscape of the canyon.
The Grand Canyon is also a great place for biologists, zoologists, and botanists. There are over 1,500 plant types in the canyon and over 300 different bird species. Not to mention there are over 80 different species of mammals, around 50 different reptiles and a number of different amphibian and fish species located throughout the Grand Canyon National Park.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited and studied National Parks in the United States. It not only helps scientists understand more about our history and prehistory but it is also a great place to learn more about rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species.