The Grand Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most stunning natural landmarks anywhere on our planet. But how did it form? Many people know that the Colorado River shaped this vast temple of rock, situated in Arizona, but where did all that water come from?
Scientists have two conflicting views. The first is the one that seems more obvious – the early Colorado extended simply by erosion, and gradually wound its way to the Colorado Plateau, where the Grand Canyon (click here for a virtual tour) is located. But in recent years a more controversial theory has arisen: that the Colorado was actually fed by a massive lake, Lake Bidahochi, which overspilled to form the Colorado.
There are several problems with this new theory – for a start, Lake Bidahochi no longer exists so scientists can only speculate its existence, with their evidence being remains of green sediment found around the area where they believe it used to be.
But there is also evidence to support the Bidahochi argument: that same green sediment was found in the Grand Canyon as well, and it is more likely that this would have originated from a lake than from a sediment-carrying river.
Ultimately, it is not of immense importance to know how the Colorado River began, because we know that it was definitely this amazing river that shaped the Grand Canyon – indeed it is still shaping it today. But it’s still an interesting question, and one that is sure to get even more complicated as more research is done over the next few years.
Filed under: Exploration, Nature, Science, Technology | Tagged: Arizona, beauty, Colorado, Colorado river, geology, Grand Canyon, green, history, landmark, landmarks, National Park, National Parks, natural landmark, natural landmarks, park, parks, research, river, US, USA
as a geologist and a photographer, i think your blog is great! You are definitely going on my blog roll!
I think its great what you try to make people aware of
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Thanks for your compliments Allison – I really appreciate it. It’s always good to know that people are enjoying my blog. (The photos on your blog are really beautiful – you’re on my blogroll too now!
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Hey Richard,
Nice article on the Grand Canyon. I’ve been down it twice and it is fascinating. I wasn’t aware of the Lake theory – very interesting. We can send rovers to Mars and space probes to the planets but sometimes the most alien and interesting things are in out own back yard!
Thanks hyatuke1957. Your comment reminds me of the fact that we know more about the surface of the Moon than about our deepest oceans.
It’s nice to know that we’ve still got plenty to find out about our planet.
The lake theory is better than you may think… Let me give you some modern evidence.
On the night (yep, just one night) of September 21st, 1999, in Taiwan, an earthquake and Taiwan’s largest natural lake [briefly at least] carved out Taiwan’s Grand Canyon. Much smaller in size than the one in the US, but a great case study into how it was probably formed.
Source:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/travel/taiwan%20central/taichung/2008/01/24/140421/Taiwan’s-’Grand.htm
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hello to all lol cheese was here like ten minutes ago with my teacher at school cheese was here lol
My belief is the Grand Canyon and all Canyon’s in the lower United States and Mexico were created by Tsunami’s caused by Metororites, like the one in the Yucataun Pennisula 65million years ago sent waves guessing from about 1000 to 3000 foot high and washing in and back out washed the land away. Maybe others have possibly have hit in the Gulf of Mexico also. I have flown in helicopter over and driven over these lower states and canyons. This is my theory maybe someone can think about this and agree.