1. The Grand Canyon GiGi Gibbons

2. Let’s begin our journey to explore the Grand Canyon Science  Water erosion Water erosion Water erosion  Earths timeline Earths timeline Earths timeline  ecosystems ecosystems Geography and Culture  Where is the grand canyon Where is the grand canyon Where is the grand canyon  The Colorado River The Colorado River The Colorado River  Wonder of the World Wonder of the World Wonder of the World References

3. Water Erosion Erosion happens when water runs over the earth and takes part of the soil with it. Erosion happens when water runs over the earth and takes part of the soil with it. Water erosion is a natural force that happens at most rivers and streams. Water erosion is a natural force that happens at most rivers and streams. Water erosion can also occur because of rain or at a beach as the ocean erodes the shoreline. Water erosion can also occur because of rain or at a beach as the ocean erodes the shoreline. The Grand Canyon is less than six million years old. In just two million years, the river sliced to within 500 feet above its current depth. The Grand Canyon is less than six million years old. In just two million years, the river sliced to within 500 feet above its current depth. Menu

4. The Earths Time Line  Layers of earth laid down over time are used by geologist to define time periods.  In the Grand Canyon these layers were first laid down and then the Colorado river eroded a gorge that exposed the layers  The exposed geologic strata - layer upon layer from the basement Vishnu schist to the capping Kaibab limestone - rise over a mile above the river, representing one of the most complete records of geological history that can be seen anywhere in the world.  Nearly 40 identified rock layers form the Grand Canyon’s walls. Menu Next Page

5. Three of the four Geological eras can be seen in the Grand Canyon. MenuNext

6. And Fossils as Well  Fossils are another way of identifying Geological time periods  The Grand Canyon as fossils include plants and animals, many are very well preserved.  View a Prehistoric Time Line and see what dinosaur lived in each age. Prehistoric Time Line Prehistoric Time Line Menu

7. Many ecosystems in one place  Because of the extreme difference in height from the top of the canyon to the bottom there are many different ecosystems present in the park.  Between rim and river, travelers find the same variety of ecological regions they would encounter on a trip from Canada to Mexico.  The entire park area is considered to be semi-arid desert.  Near the Colorado River, riparian vegetation and sandy beaches prevail.  Just above the river corridor a desert scrub community exists complete with a wide variety of cacti and warm desert scrub species.  A pinyon pine and juniper forest grows above the desert scrub up to 6,200 feet, while between 6,200 feet and 8,200 feet ponderosa pine is abundant.  On the North Rim at elevations above 8,200 feet, a spruce-fir forest tops out the park. Menu

8. The Grand Canyon’s Geography? The Grand Canyon’s Geography?  The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona near the border with Utah.  It is 277 miles long.  The widest part is 15 miles across.  It is 6,000 feet deep at its lowest point.  The Grand Canyon is part of the National Park System. Now that you know about the Grand Canyon try the Grand Canyon Game on the National Geographic web site. Grand Canyon Game Grand Canyon Game Menu

9. The Colorado River  The Colorado River is the primary river of the American Southwest.  It drains 242,000 square miles of land, from the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.  The headwaters of the Colorado begin at an altitude of 9,010 feet. By the time the river enters the Grand Canyon, at Lee's Ferry, its altitude has fallen to 3,110 feet, dropping over one mile since its beginning. The river will drop another 2,200 feet before it reaches the other end of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Wash Cliffs, 277 miles away.  The Colorado River was originally named Rio Colorado or "Red River" by the Spanish. The present day color of the river is more of a blue-green. The silt and sediments that gave the river its color are now trapped behind the dam in the bottom o f Lake Powell. Menu

10. A Wonder of the Natural World  The Grand Canyon is considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world.  The Grand Canyon is the best and most famous earth science laboratory in the world  It is the largest gorge in the world.  The other six wonders are: Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Paricutin Volcano, The Northern Lights. Menu

11. References  http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/index.htm http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/index.htm  http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/misc/gc_cor iv.htm http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/misc/gc_cor iv.htm http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/misc/gc_cor iv.htm  http://wonderclub.com/WorldWonders/CanyonHist ory.html http://wonderclub.com/WorldWonders/CanyonHist ory.html http://wonderclub.com/WorldWonders/CanyonHist ory.html  http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/g/e/ge ological%20timescale/image001.jpg http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/g/e/ge ological%20timescale/image001.jpg http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/g/e/ge ological%20timescale/image001.jpg  http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/pre historic-world/prehistoric-time-line.html http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/pre historic-world/prehistoric-time-line.html http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/pre historic-world/prehistoric-time-line.html  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/ brainteaser/grandcanyon/grandcanyon.html http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/ brainteaser/grandcanyon/grandcanyon.html http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/ brainteaser/grandcanyon/grandcanyon.html Menu