Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon Scenery

(photos by R. Alley)

The GreatUnconformity

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery-detail.asp?name=PGC NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team

Satellite-generated oblique view of the Grand Canyon, looking across the South Rim Village (lower right, yellow label “S”) toward North Rim Village (“N”).

S

N

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery/detail/371/ USGS Landsat image.

At 277 miles long, 5 to 18 miles wide (average 10 miles wide), and about 5700 feet deep (just over a mile), Grand Canyon is not the longest, deepest, widest or steepest on Earth, but it may be the grandest for combining length, depth, width and steepness. South Rim Village (S) and North Rim Village (N) are indicated.

S

N

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

http://data2.itc.nps.gov/hafe/hfc/npsphoto4h.cfm?Catalog_No=hpc%2D001583 National Park Service Historical Photo, helicopter-rescue training exercise. National Park Service web site says:

“Over 250 people are rescued from the Canyon each year. The difference between a great adventure in Grand Canyon and a trip to the hospital (or worse) is up to YOU - follow the rules of smart hiking and - DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially during the months of May to September.”

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Left to right, CAUSE students Stephanie Shepherd, Dave Witmer, Sameer Safaya, Sam Ascah and Irene McKenna, at Silver Bridge after moonlight hike to the bottom of

the Canyon.

Geography staff member Anna Brendle and videographer Topher Yorks

Raya Guruswami and Sam Ascah

Some who didn’t need help hiking to the bottom of the canyon and back.

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Mule deer in feeding trough for pack mules, and Columbian ground squirrel, Indian Gardens, Grand Canyon.

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

California condors have been reintroduced to the Canyon successfully.

It is a pleasure to see them wheeling above the vast spaces.

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Prickly pear (upper left), phlox (left), century plant (above), and penstemon (above right).

Despite the dryness, the Canyon has many beautiful flowers.

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

South Bright Angel Trail (left), and having a little fun with it (right).

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Metamorphosed rocks abraded and polished by Colorado River, Bright Angel Trail. Note that river-worn rocks look very different from glacier-worn rocks, but show clear evidence of erosion.

Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park

Sunset at the Canyon. It is worth the trip…