The Formation of the Grand Canyon

Dave Chupp, a dog breeder by trade, has traveled throughout the American West to appreciate that region’s natural beauty. In the course of his travels, Dave Chupp has visited the Grand Canyon in addition to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks.

The Grand Canyon has fascinated geologists since the mid-19th century, and thanks to decades of scientific work, the geology community has a solid idea of what led to the creation of this natural wonder. First, it is important to understand the geography of the Grand Canyon, which rises around the Colorado River as it flows through Arizona.

Though the canyon appears to dominate the river, the truth is the opposite; it is the river that dominated the rock. Ancient antecedents to the Colorado River began slicing the canyon out of the rock about 70 million years ago, according to one theory, or about 6 million years ago, according to others.

In essence, understanding the Grand Canyon is a matter of understanding the powerful erosive force present in the rivers of the world, which literally shape the earth’s landscapes.