Bryce Canyon National Park

Term 3 Science ProjectBy: Zach Parrish and James Gilbert

Park Description

• Bryce Canyon is one of the five National Parks located in Utah

• It covers a total area of 56 square miles.• Although it is named Bryce Canyon, it is not really a

canyon. It is a giant natural amphitheater along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

• The red, orange and white rocks provide spectacular scenery for visitors and photographers.

• Bryce Canyons main rock types are beautiful siltstone, limestone, dolomite and mudstone.

Bryce Canyon Maps

Formations of Bryce Canyon

• There are a plethora of fabulous rock formations located in Bryce Canyon National Park.

• Some of the most famous formations in Bryce Canyon are called hoodoos, which are pinnacles and spires of sandstone that are left by erosion.

• Another type of rock formation in Bryce canyon is the arch.

• The most famous arch examples in Bryce Canyon are the Natural Bridge and the Wall of Windows.

Rock Formation Pictures

Arch

WindowHoodoos

Famous Bryce Canyon Rock Formation Pictures

Wall of Windows Natural Bridge

Climate, Plants, and Animals

• Bryce Canyon is located at an extremely high altitude of between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.

• The park receives significant snow from October to March, and experiences cold temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

• More than 400 species of plants grow in the park.• Mule Deer are the most common large animal in

the park. Black Bears, Mountain Lions, and many small mammals are also present.

Causes of Rock Formations• The rock in Bryce Canyon has been deposited, removed, and

eroded over millions of years.• The rock layers have varying degrees of hardness.• These layers are then eroded at different rates by weather

such as wind and rain.• Roots of plants and trees have also helped to erode the rock.• Uplifts and faults form blocks in the plateaus that are then

weakened and carved by precipitation and streams.• Frost wedging is the main force that causes hoodoos. When it

rains, water seeps into the rock. When it freezes, it expands therefore cracking and prying the rock.

Rock Erosion

Geologic History

• The rocks in Bryce Canyon National Park were formed during the cretaceous period, which was about 144 million years ago.

• For over 60 million years, Bryce Canyon was covered in a seaway.

• This seaway deposited many sediments that are now seen in the park.

Park Activities

• Donkey Riding• Wildlife Observation• Scenic Hiking • Driving Tours• Stargazing• Photography• Visitors center

Interesting Facts• Ebenezer Bryce is the founder of Bryce Canyon and it’s

named after him. He said the canyon would be a “heck of a place to lose a cow.”

• One sad fact is that many of the pine trees in the park have been infested by Bark Beetles and have died. More trees will continue to die and there is no way to prevent further damage.

• The Bryce Canyon National Park visitor center is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• It is said that Hoodoo rocks are giants that come alive during the night and throw rocks at intruders.

Interesting Facts Continued

• The air in the park is very clear. On most days, visibility is approximately 90 miles. On extremely clear days, you can see the Black Mesas of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico that are located 160 miles away.

• The park has a 7.4 magnitude night sky. This is one of the darkest skies in North America. With the dark sky and clear air, stargazers can see 7,500 stars with the naked eye. (In most places, only about 2,000 stars can be seen.)

Sources

National Parks Services. NPS.GOV. 2006. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.nps.gov

National Park Travel. NationalParkTravel.com2012. Web. 14. Feb. 2012.

http://www.nationalparktravel.com APN Media LLC. OhRanger.com. 2008. Web. 14

Feb. 2012.http://www.ohranger.com/bryce-canyon

Sources… Continued

Bryce Canyon City. Brycecanyoncity.gov. 2008. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.brycecanyoncityut.gov/maps.html Utah. Utah.com. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm

The End!!

Taste the Rainbow!!!