The Grand Canyon, a majestic chasm on the banks of the Colorado River in the state of Arizona, USA, truly lives up to its reputation as an earthly paradise. It’s a place that everyone dreams of witnessing with their own eyes, the towering mountainous cliffs formed by the Grand Canyon’s ravine, carved out by the Colorado River, revealing the mysteries of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The story of the Earth’s more than 2 billion years of history slowly unfolds through the layers of rock and soil at the intersection of the Colorado River and the Colorado Plateau surrounding the Grand Canyon. According to historical records, the Grand Canyon was discovered in 1540 by García López de Cárdenas, a Spanish explorer. Immediately, this place became a destination that attracted adventurers, and John Wesley Powell, the leader of the first expedition to explore this grand canyon, gradually unveiled the mysterious history of the Earth through the exposed layers of rock in this area.
Long ago, this area was once an ocean between the ancient North American continent and the island arc continent. About 2 billion years ago, due to geological shifts and collisions between these continents, the present-day North American continent emerged. Amidst the vast Colorado Plateau, the land sunk, creating an enormous basin with horizontal and vertical cuts. The reddish-brown rock formations emerged from the deep basin, taking on shapes reminiscent of temples, castles, or fortresses concealed and revealed by the mist, creating an otherworldly landscape. However, it wasn’t until about 6 million years ago, when the Colorado River flowed from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California, that it expanded and carved deeper into the fractures in the Colorado Plateau. The rushing waters from the high source of the Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon, stretching 446 kilometers in length, ranging from 0.4 to 24 kilometers in width, and plunging over 1,600 meters deep.
The Grand Canyon comprises 12 layers of ancient rocks, with colors transitioning from red and gold to vibrant reds and deep browns on the rock cliffs. The oldest layer dates back to approximately 1.84 billion years, and visitors can easily admire the distinct reddish-brown hues of this ancient layer at the base of the Grand Canyon’s rock formations.
The Grand Canyon offers visitors diverse experiences depending on the time of day. Standing high above, observing from one side of the gorge to the other, allows one’s gaze to follow along the rock walls on both sides, extending to the horizon. The paths along the canyon provide a space for visitors to witness the sunrise or watch the sunset, embracing the unparalleled expanse of the Grand Canyon. The colors of the space here resemble a magnificent 3D painting, with deep reds, light yellows, and grayish blues of the rock walls blending with the green shades of vegetation. It’s a fulfilling experience to behold the majestic and untouched beauty of the grand canyon, overflowing with feelings of joy and the splendor of nature in one’s heart.