The Great
Unconformity
Grand Canyon Scenery
(photos by R. Alley)
Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park
N
S
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”).
Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park
N
S
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.
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
Some who didn’t need help hiking to the
bottom of the canyon and back.
Geography staff member Anna Brendle
and videographer Topher Yorks
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.
Raya Guruswami and Sam Ascah
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…
Unit 10 - Grand Canyon National Park