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Discovering the Grand Canyon: Nature's Marvel and Erosion's Masterpiece

The Grand Canyon, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, is located on the Colorado Plateau in northwest Arizona, USA. Carved by the Colorado River, it stretches 277 miles long and reaches depths of up to 6,000 feet. The canyon showcases over 2 billion years of geological history, shaped by the erosive forces of rivers and the impact of tributary drainage systems. With hikes taking two days and rafting trips extending up to two weeks, it's both a natural wonder and an adventure destination. Explore its breathtaking beauty and rich geological significance.

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Discovering the Grand Canyon: Nature's Marvel and Erosion's Masterpiece

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  1. The Grand Canyon

  2. What is it? • On the Colorado Plateau, in the northwest of Arizona, USA • Carved by the Colorado River • One of the 7 Wonders of the World

  3. How big is it? • 277 miles (446 km) long • 18 miles (29 km) wide • Up to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) deep

  4. How big is it? • Going from top to bottom and back = two-days (on foot or by mule) • Going through the canyon by raft = two weeks or longer

  5. How old is it? • We can see the rocks at the bottom because of EROSION • Some of these rocks are 2,000 million years old • But, the canyon is 5-6 million years old

  6. How did it form? • Erosion • Rivers are a powerful erosive force over time • Rivers carry about 20 billion tons of rock and soil the oceans each year • How fast erosion occurs depends on the amount of sediment carried and how fast the river moves

  7. How did it form? • Erosive forces continue to shape the Grand Canyon today • But erosion alone cannot explain the width of the Grand Canyon • Scientists think it was widened by tributary drainage systems • the side streams, rivulets, and gullies outside the main river channel • fast-moving landslides called debris flows • These occur when heavy rain or quick snowmelt occurs • The loose rocks and boulders fall down

  8. video • http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_canyon/ • http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.canyon/

  9. Questions • Where is the Grand Canyon? • Which river carved it? • How long does it take to get to the bottom? • How old are some of the rocks at the bottom of the canyon? Is the canyon itself this old? • How did the canyon form?

  10. SOURCES • http://www.nps.gov/grca • http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_canyon/

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