G rand Canyon is a valley located in Arizona, USA, that was created by the Colorado River, billions of years ago.
At that time, there were only mountains in this region.
Over the years, erosion wore away the mountains to form a plain. There were weather changes too, and this caused oceans to flood, depositing sediment. As sediments collected and increased in weight it formed sedimentary rocks. As millennia went by, the rock layers placed themselves on top of each other. Sometimes, the top layers eroded.
Cutting through
The Colorado river ran through the early rock structure. The tension within the earth and the plate collision led to the uplifting of the place now called Colorado Plateau.
The flash floods washed the accumulated debris into the river.
In spring, when the snow melted in the Colorado Rockies, the water carried the rock debris to the Pacific Ocean. While The rock pieces broadened the river and sliced deeper into the lower rock layers.
The result is the steep, shaped canyon we see today.
What to see
The Canyon is home to 17 kinds of fish, 91 types of mammals and 47 reptile species. In addition, there are short-horned lizards that shoot blood from their eyes to protect themselves.
How so?
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, and 18 miles wide. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are more than 20 layers of rocks through the Grand Canyon.
More than five million tourists visit each year
