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By Drenaline – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most recognizable natural attraction on Earth. It draws millions of tourists annually from all over the world.

This natural marvel has been around for millions of years. It is also a vast park that Rhodes Island could fit in it and there would still be space.

Most of the area around the Grand Canyon is a national park. The sweeping vistas and Colorado River make this the place to stand out in the whole of Arizona.

I have 10 facts about the Grand Canyon that you may find fascinating. Here they are:

1. The canyon is as a result of millions of years of corrosion by the Colorado River

Colorado River has been one of the main contributors to the shape and form of the Grand Canyon. The river has been flowing here longer than anyone can tell.

The constant flow of water on the rocks slowly eroded them for millions of years. It is believed that erosion has happened for more than 70 million years.

The geological history of the Grand Canyon indicates that the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through the layer of rocks. This happened when the Colorado Plateau was raised.

Geologists believe that the oldest geological exposures in the Canyon are 2 billion years old.

2. No one knows the exact age of the Grand Canyon

Geologists believe that Colorado River has been flowing in this Canyon for about 7 million years.

Other studies of the Grand Canyon show that the erosion of the rocks by the river has been happening for more than 70 million years.

The Grand Canyon began as a series of small canyons and have been taking shape over the years.

The Schist at the bottom of the Canyon dates back to 2 billion years. At the upper rim, the limestone is more than 230 million years old.

Tests on the temperature of the rocks have indicated that one stretch dates back to 70 million years ago. The rest of the Grand Canyon is believed to be 6 million years old.

3. The temperature at the Grand Canyon varies

When you visit the Grand Canyon, you will notice that the temperature varies greatly depending on your location.

During the coldest winter, the North Rim reaches -10 degrees Fahrenheit. While its hottest summer at the inner Canyon range can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

All this depends on the altitude and other geographical factors at the Grand Canyon.

The north rim happens to be the coldest and wettest while the Phantom Ranch is the driest and hottest in the Canyon.

It rains heavily on both rims during the summer. There are frequent road closures to the Canyon during winter.

4. There is a lot of fossil in the Grand Canyon

By Drenaline – Wikimedia

While there may be no dinosaur fossils at the Grand Canyon, there are several remains.

Most of the fossils found at the Grand Canyon indicate that different creatures made a home here.  The ancient marine fossils dating back to more than 1.2 billion years.

Mammal fossils found at the Canyon are believed to have existed about 10,000 years ago.

These artefacts date to the Paleo-Indian period. There are pots, jewellery and other animal figurines made of twigs that were excavated from the caves.

The earliest human inhabitants at the Grand Canyon were Native American tribes 800 years ago. These tribes still live at the Canyon to date.

5. A real village exists in the Grand Canyon

As mentioned above, there is a Native American tribe that lives at the Grand Canyon.

They live in a small village at the base of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The population of this village is 208.

This is the most remote community in the mainland U.S. and is inaccessible by roads. The villagers in Supai receive their mail from a pack of mule.

6. There are other fun activities to do other than hiking

By dancer4ever – Wikimedia

Other than the obvious sightseeing from the South Rim that stands at 7,000 feet above sea level; there are other things to do at the Canyon.

Activities such as rafting, hiking, running, and helicopter tours are popular.

There is also the annual 78-mile Grand Canyon Ultra Marathon that happens over 24 hours.

To get to the base of the valley, you can use the hiking trails, hop on a mule or take a boat or raft from upriver.

There is a camping ground at the north rim that’s managed by Kaibab National Forest. This site opens seasonally because of weather and road closures.

7. The Federal Air Aviation came to be because of the Canyon

Back in the 50s, commercial planes and helicopters were used to give aerial tours of the Grand Canyon.

However, in 1956, a tragic accident happened when two planes collided.

Unfortunately, the crash was fatal leading to the establishment of the FAA by the federal government.

8. The Grand Canyon keeps changing

By Erin Whittaker – Wikimedia

The shape and form of the Grand Canyon have been changing over the years. This is caused by the erosion from River Colorado.

This river flows through the Canyon and a combination of wind and rain slowly eat on the rocks.

These activities have influenced the shape of the Grand Canyon over the years.

This makes the Grand Canyon one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world.

9. Several animal species call the Grand Canyon home

A Bighorn Ewe By Marcin Wichary – Wikimedia

The Grand Canyon is home to several species of flora and fauna. There are about 8,480 known species of mammals, 60 reptile species, and more than 20 fish species.

Bird species such as the California condor, the southwestern willow flycatcher, and Ridgway’s rail can be found at the Grand Canyon too.

It is at this Canyon that you will find the rare pink rattlesnake, this is one of the six rattlesnake species calling the Grand Canyon home.

The colour of the snake blend with the rocks at the park and is such a beautiful sight.

10. The Grand Canyon has the cleanest air in the US

By Tobias Alt – Wikimedia

The area in and around the Grand Canyon has the cleanest air in the United States.

Although this sounds good, it sometimes affects natural occurrences at the park such as forest fires and dust storms.

The good air quality here has been as a result of sulphates, soils and organics in the Canyon. This has also improved visibility at the Canyon too.