The Grand CanyonThe Grand CanyonNATIONAL PARKNATIONAL PARK

By Allyson CurranBy Allyson Curran

What year did the What year did the Grand Canyon become a Grand Canyon become a National Park and why?National Park and why?

The Grand Canyon was designated to become a National Park to protect its ravishing wildlife in the best way this nation has to offer. The canyon is known throughout the world for its overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. The rock layers record much of the early geological history of the North American continent. It is one of the seven natural wonders in the world.

How was The Grand Canyon How was The Grand Canyon formed?formed?

This National Park was formed by the Colorado River over the last 6 million years. The river itself has carved the canyon.

What type of rocks can be What type of rocks can be found inside The Grand found inside The Grand Canyon?Canyon? Some rocks that can be found inside the

Grand Canyon are Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap Formation, Coconino Sandstone, Hermit Shale, Supai Formation, Redwall Limestone, Mauv Limestone, Bright Angel Shale, Tapeats Sandstone, and Vishnu Schist.

What special landforms or What special landforms or features are inside The features are inside The Grand Canyon?Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon is made up of layers of rocks which rise over a mile over the river. The entire park is a semi-arid desert and near the river are sandy beaches and riparian vegetations. There is also a pinyon pine and juniper forest.

How is the land inside The How is the land inside The Grand Canyon currently Grand Canyon currently changing?changing? The canyon is currently changing because

the Colorado River that goes through the canyon is eroding the land around it and

over time The Grand Canyon will get worn away bit by bit.

What environmental issues What environmental issues are affecting The Grand are affecting The Grand Canyon?Canyon? One environmental issue in the canyon is

haze due to air pollution from nearby cities and industrial areas often blocks the view of the rim of the Canyon. Also, since the flow of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is controlled by the Glen Canyon Dam, the following repercussions occur: colder water, smaller sediment load, and missing seasonal fluctuations. And due to the dam, the six-million-year old natural process of dredging the Canyon by the Colorado River can no longer occur.

How is technology used to How is technology used to help preserve and maintain help preserve and maintain The Grand Canyon?The Grand Canyon? Technology is used in the dam that is in the

canyon. The Grand Canyon’s Dam stopped the Colorado River's natural flow in 1963. This dam helps protect the canyon from flooding which helps preserve the park.

This hydro dam works by taking the energy of water flow and converting it into an electric voltage. The water is regulated through a series of water turbines. The water flows through the turbine, pushing the turbine blades causing a rotation to a shaft. The shaft is then attached to an electrical generator. Inside the electrical generator, magnets are rotated around wire coil inductors which cause a voltage.

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Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm>.

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Grand Canyon." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 02 June 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon>.