{"id":25362,"date":"2019-10-08T00:01:46","date_gmt":"2019-10-08T00:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciencesensei.com\/?p=25362"},"modified":"2023-10-02T00:58:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T04:58:12","slug":"grand-facts-that-celebrate-the-grand-canyon-6-millionth-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.sciencesensei.com\/grand-facts-that-celebrate-the-grand-canyon-6-millionth-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Facts that Celebrate the Grand Canyon’s 6 Millionth Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Grand Canyon is one of the largest marvels in the world. It’s 6 million years old! People know it as a historic national monument located in the great state of Arizona. However, a lot is going on for it that many people don’t realize. Every American should know the basic details about the Grand Canyon. However, it’s fun to understand the ins and outs of this unique wonder. Here’s a list of facts about the Grand Canyon you likely didn’t know.<\/p>\n The indigenous Americans revere the Grand Canyon<\/a> as a sacred place. They once lived around the area. It was considered a “place of emergence” and was held in high esteem. These tribes believed that they would sail down the Colorado River within the canyon towards their destination in the afterlife when a person died. That made the canyon an essential part of their creeds. In fact, it is so vital to their beliefs that they filed for personhood rights for the Colorado River. It means that lawsuits can be brought on behalf of the river if there is any harm done to it.<\/p>\n That is because water is critical to indigenous Americans. For hundreds of years, they have learned to exist with nature without interrupting its natural balance or interfering with the limited water supply. It included consumption, cleaning, bathing, watering crops, and not disturbing the animals called the river their home. This harmony with nature is the foundation of their religious beliefs, with many indigenous tribes calling water the basis for life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Grand Canyon is so long and so deep that if everyone alive today were to visit it simultaneously, it still wouldn’t be full! The canyon itself is about 277 miles<\/a> long, and averages 4,000 feet deep. To think that all it took was a pure river flowing through this area for millions of years could carve out such a marvelous miracle of nature is beyond comprehension.<\/p>\n Although the Grand Canyon area is mostly arid, there are forests in the higher regions, providing some cool air now and again. However, below that, the canyon itself is so deep that it is the physical record of three of the four big ears of geological periods. It is rife with fossils<\/a> and geological features that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Think of all the parts of it that haven’t been explored yet!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In fact, the Grand Canyon is so immense that there is a diversity of ecosystems in one space. There are five different ecosystems<\/a> you can experience just by walking through the canyon. Walking from the north side, you’ll travel through boreal forests, ponderosa pine forests, woodland, desert scrub, and finally, the desert. In the boreal forests, there is even rain and snow during the cooler months. There aren’t very many places within the United States where you can experience multiple extreme environments in one day.<\/p>\n This wide range of ecosystems also means a wider variety of animals surrounding and within the Grand Canyon than anywhere else. From snakes and predatory birds to coyotes, bighorn sheep, and even bears, it would be difficult to find such a smorgasbord of animals living in one place anywhere else in the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, if you plan to take a trip through the Grand Canyon, be prepared to bring lots of layers. There are elevations anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 feet<\/a> within the canyon itself. It means that there’s at least a temperature drop of 25 degrees from the top of the canyon to the very bottom. What’s unique about the canyon is when the seasons change. During the summer, the gorge’s top is scalding while the base remains cool, while during the winter, the top is at its coldest.<\/p>\n The cool atmosphere during the summer is the perfect getaway for both visitors and animals.<\/a> Very frequently, animals like reptiles and snakes will often seek the cooler climates in the gorge so that they don’t fry in the sun. When the sun retreats, they head back up the ravine again to get out of the colder temperatures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To this day, the Grand Canyon is still changing its shape.<\/a> You can thank the river that flows through it. Combine that with the wind and rain. Also, the fact that the overall form of the gorge is always fluctuating. That means that decades or even hundreds of years from now, the Grand Canyon will look much different than when we’ve seen it. These changes won’t be evident at first, even if you saw the canyon every day. However, no doubt, if you were to compare pictures taken between now and in the future, the differences would be visible.<\/p>\n It’s a shame that many of us will never get to see the Grand Canyon of the future and what shape it might take. It might be deeper. Some of the higher areas may crumble and fall into some of the gorges; we have no way of knowing what shape it will take. All we can do is hope that it will still exist centuries from now for future generations to see.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You have the Grand Canyon to blame for the development of the Federal Aviation Administration. That is because there were plenty of near misses and mid-air collisions of planes over the Grand Canyon. You’d think with all that vast open space that such things would be rare. However, it was the public that demanded that something is done about all of these accidents. Through congressional hearings, updates were made to air traffic control procedures, and the FAA was given authority over the airspace above the United States.<\/p>\n The FAA’s development was because, in 1956, two planes crashed into each other, killing roughly 130 people.<\/a> The wreckage was scattered over 1 1\/2 miles. The victims were buried together in cemeteries at the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. A landmark was erected in memory of those lost as something of an apology to them for not having the FAA developed sooner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the base of the canyon, there is a tiny town that not many people know about. The Havasupai village<\/a> only has about 208 people living in it and is one of the most remote places in all the states. The town is located eight miles away from the nearest remote. The location is so isolated that they were the only place in the United States that receives its mail via pack mule.<\/p>\n The village is not accessible by road, which the Havasupai people that live there have no problems with. They revere the rivers and waterfalls that run through the Grand Canyon, appreciating and respecting the nature that they live in. Reservations are required for all hikers and campers before entering this area, and caution is always advised, considering how high the temperatures can get during the summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first visitors to the Grand Canyon are the Spaniards, who explored the site around 1540. This first visit didn’t impress them very much, as it wasn’t noted down until Francisco Garces<\/a>, a Spanish missionary, traveled to this location to convert the local indigenous Americans. He did this by establishing two churches along the lower Colorado River. Although he was at peace with the native people who lived there, everything broke down when a few Spanish settlers allegedly violated the treaty through the loss of crops and farmlands.<\/p>\n In what was called the Yuma Uprising and the Yuma Revolt, the indigenous Americans called Garces and his fellow friars. After that, it wasn’t until 1869 that the first expedition took place. It was on the second trip, led by John Wesley Powell that the Colorado River was mapped. It was after this trip that people became more and more interested in the area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Air quality is essential to maintain one’s health, but four out of ten people live in areas where there’s just too much air pollution. A trip to the Grand Canyon can solve that problem. It has the cleanest air of anywhere else in the United States. It’s 7,000 feet above sea level, so there’s nothing but fresh air up there. That can be something of a blessing for those who have breathing problems from living in smog-infested areas all their lives.<\/p>\n That’s part of why the park was established, and there are such strict rules concerning the area. The national park seeks to maintain this pure quality of the site. They require people to take their garbage with them when leaving and respect the grounds they are walking on. However, the nearby power plant<\/a>s in the Four Corners region operate on coal, and the canyon is downwind of their emissions, affecting the air quality somewhat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Remember earlier when we said how big the Grand Canyon is? Well, it’s so big that it’s bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island<\/a>. It covers 1,904 square miles, while Rhode Island is only 1,212 square miles. Maybe someone should suggest that the canyon be considered a state instead! However, with a population of only 208, that’s probably not likely, as they would prefer having their own jurisdiction.<\/p>\n Moreover, although Rhode Island is rife with museums, sandy shores, and zoos, there is nothing there as splendid as the sight of the Grand Canyon. It takes about five hours just to drive from one end to the other, there are plenty of paths to hike, and the views are simply amazing. It’s the perfect getaway for those who want to get closer to nature.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone panics when they hear about forest fires taking place in California. For the Grand Canyon, however, it’s a good thing. Strategically placed fires<\/a> can thin out the vegetation so that it doesn’t become overgrown and cause other plants to choke. Fires also add nutrients to the soil that new plant growth uses to become sturdier and more resilient. People take great care to ensure that these fires don’t get out of control and cause harm to the local animal life.<\/p>\n That is why it’s doubly important to take care of the Grand Canyon if you ever decide to go camping. Unattended fires can spread quickly, as well as tossing used cigarettes onto the ground. Practice fire safety hazards by kicking dirt onto your campfire when you’re done. Alternatively, you could drop your cigarette butts into a container of water so that you don’t end up starting a fire accidentally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Grand Canyon is home to many animals, especially with the different ecosystems they have going on. A few of these can be quite dangerous, such as the Gila monster and bighorn sheep, which have mighty horns. However, the most dangerous animal you should look out for is the rock squirrel<\/a>. The rock squirrel is biting more visitors every year than any other animal within the canyon. They might look cute and cuddly, but it can be perilous to get close to them.<\/p>\n The rock squirrel is considered the most dangerous animal to visitors within the Grand Canyon, even more than snakes and coyotes. What makes them even more dangerous is that they are just about everywhere and have been known to bite people just for pointing at them. Feeding them is highly discouraged. Furthermore, you should maintain safe distances at all times. It’s best to keep an eye out for them and stay away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other than the rock squirrel, it would help if you also kept an eye out for the pink rattlesnake<\/a>. It is one of the six rattlesnake species that live in the area, as well as the park. The pink color of its scales makes it hard to see, especially against the color of the area’s rocks. Listen out for a rattling sound: this is their warning to step away from them. If you hear it, move away from the noise and watch from a distance to see if the snake moves away.<\/p>\n If you do happen to see one, it’s best to leave it alone, back away, and head in another direction. The majority of rattlesnake bites occur when someone tries to pick one up. On the off-chance that you do get bitten, then you should seek medical attention immediately, as all rattlesnakes are highly venomous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Grand Canyon is pretty old, so you would think that as the layers of rock are exposed along the canyon walls, they would gradually get older and older. However, that isn’t the case. Scientists have discovered a phenomenon they’re called the “Great Unconformity<\/a>.” They’ve found rocks that are 250 million years old lying right next to stones that are 1.2 billion years old. That doesn’t make any sense, and they have no idea how this could have happened.<\/p>\n John Wesley Powell observed the Grand Canyon’s unconformity earning it the name “Powell’s Unconformity.” It was first noticed 12 years earlier by a man called John Newberry. The Civil War interrupted his work, which is why Newberry’s work isn’t as well known. A landmass’s submergence marks this unconformity. A shallow sea ended up eroding the Precambrian rocks, exposing them to weathering over time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because of these discrepancies, no one knows how old the Grand Canyon is. Many believe that it is only 6 million years old, but evidence shows that it began to form at least 70 million years ago. Also, as stated before, there is the presence of rocks that date back as far as billions of years ago. The most popular theory is that the Grand Canyon started as several smaller canyons that eventually grew into each other.<\/p>\n The water eroded the rocks through the constant flows and ebbs of rivers, making them deeper and wider over time. Although this process started tens of millions of years ago, the Grand Canyon only started taking shape recently after so many years of erosion. It’s pretty challenging to say just how old the Grand Canyon is.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Grand Canyon is known for being pretty deep and very long. However, it’s not all that wide. At its widest point, it’s about eighteen miles from one side to the next; its most narrow point is about 600 yards across.<\/a> On average, it ranges to about 10 miles across in most locations. So although the Grand Canyon is quite big, it’s not the widest canyon in the world. That title belongs to the Capertee Valley in Australia.<\/p>\n In 2013, a daredevil did a tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon, walking the length of 1,400 feet. Nik Wallenda was 1,500 feet above the Colorado River, and it took him about 22 minutes to cross the whole thing. He had to stop a few times when the winds picked up and caused the rope to shake, but he maintained his composure and crossed the whole thing eventually.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With how famous the Grand Canyon National Park is and how many visitors it receives each year, you would think it would be a virtual plethora of hiking activities for the regular outdoors person. However, more people have successfully walked on the moon than have completed a continuous hike of the Grand Canyon’s entire length. Granted, it is 277 miles long, but you would think someone would have accomplished it by now. The main reasons for that are that the area gets so hot that it can become unbearable to traverse. Also, the fact that 90% of the canyon doesn’t have any trails.<\/p>\n One pair of men managed to hike the entire Grand Canyon in 71 days<\/a>. They had to endure all kinds of weather, blisters, and one of the men suffered from hyponatremia (sodium levels in the blood are too low). The reason the men made this trip was to showcase the beautiful wonders of the canyon. They also wanted to raise awareness of the effect of tourism on the canyon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the Colorado River running through it, one would think that it would be a prime fishing spot. However, the very nature of the river has been very challenging for any fish to thrive here. There is always flooding, the temperatures are still fluctuating wildly, and the water is filled with much debris. With that said, there are only eight different fish species that call the river home, and six of them are found in the depths of the river where it’s hard to fish.<\/p>\n There are several fish<\/a> you can find in the Colorado River. These include channel catfish, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, bluegill, small\/largemouth bass, and striped bass. Largemouth bass fishing usually takes place between March and June, when spawning is at its highest. Nevertheless, if you’re interested in winter fishing, the rainbow trout is most active from October to March.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Grand Canyon is something that has been revered for decades because of how majestic it is. However, that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t always a national park, nor was it protected. It took six attempts before the Senate agreed to make it a national park. The canyon was first proposed in a bill by Benjamin Harrison.<\/a> However, it didn’t become an Act until thirty-six years later, when President Woodrow Wilson signed it.<\/p>\n It’s a good thing these protections are now in place. Many companies have considered mining uranium within the canyon. That can lead to the poisoning of the rivers and reduce the habitat of the animals that live there. Without being named a national park, the Grand Canyon may have looked very different from what we’re used to seeing today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Almost every national park urges you to leave nothing behind but your footsteps and to only take photos. That is because they don’t want you to take anything from the land as a souvenir to take home. However, those stakes are serious when it comes to the Grand Canyon National Park. There are stories of those who have been taken from the park and ended up being haunted. Those who run it have received letters and returned objects from those who ran into extreme cases of bad luck and illnesses after taking something from the park.<\/p>\n One such story pertains to a man in 1879<\/a> who offered aid to a woman by sharing his supplies. In return, she gave him the gift of a blanket but warned of its troubled past. The man wasn’t particularly superstitious. However, he did suffer from hundreds of harmful incidents during the two years he had the blanket. They all mysteriously stopped once he lost the blanket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many people think that because the Grand Canyon is so old, there should be fossils of dinosaurs strewn. Be prepared to be disappointed. There isn’t to say that there aren’t any fossils; there are fossils of marine animals from 1.2 billion years ago, as well as some of land mammals as recent as 10,000 years ago. Maybe not as impressive as an actual dinosaur, but these fossils are still really cool.<\/p>\n There are so many fossils within the Grand Canyon that it contains 32% of the Earth’s geological history<\/a>. The most common fossil you may find is that of the trilobite. When you do find a fossil, leave it where it is. It is illegal to dig up, move, or remove fossils within the Grand Canyon National Park. Leave it where it is so that future visitors to the park can see them for themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe Grand Canyon is a Gateway<\/span><\/h2>\n
It’s Pretty Deep<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Grand Canyon Has Ecosystem Within Ecosystem<\/span><\/h2>\n
Changing Ecosystems Means Changing Temperatures<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Canyon Is Still Morphing<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Birth of the FAA<\/span><\/h2>\n
People Live in the Canyon<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Canyon’s First Historical Visitors<\/span><\/h2>\n
It Has the Cleanest Air in All of the United States<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Canyon Is Bigger Than An Entire State<\/span><\/h2>\n
Fires Can Be Good<\/span><\/h2>\n
Beware the Biters<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pink Isn’t a Friendly Color in the Grand Canyon <\/span><\/h2>\n
The Mystery of the Rocks<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is It Even Older Than 6 Million?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Canyon Is Actually Pretty Narrow<\/span><\/h2>\n
Little to No Success<\/span><\/h2>\n
No Prizes Here<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Canyon Was Not Always Protected<\/span><\/h2>\n
It Has Cursed Relics<\/span><\/h2>\n
Fossils From the Wrong Era<\/span><\/h2>\n
Littered with Caves<\/span><\/h2>\n