The Grand Canyon

What did the Colorado River have to do with the formation of the Grand Canyon?

You are walking home from school. You notice it is starting to rain. The raindrops hit your face. You start to run so you don’t get wet. Your mother has a towel ready when you run in the door. Despite being a little wet, the rain had no effect on you. You simply wipe the water away. In what ways can water affect things?

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Some large features on Earth were caused by water. The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River. There are many rivers as big. There are rivers that are much larger. The Mississippi River is the largest river in the U.S. Only the Colorado has formed such a large canyon. The Grand Canyon is its own league.

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In most cases, water is harmless. Over time, water can have a great effect. When water runs over the land it can wash the soil away. With enough time, it can carve through rock. Given enough time, it can create a canyon over a mile wide. It is hard to believe that water created the Grand Canyon.

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Scientists have learned that the Grand Canyon took a long time to form. Every time it rained, the water ran across the ground. A little soil and rock was washed away with every rainstorm. Water can cause a lot of change if it has time. Scientists are unsure of the canyon’s exact age. What they do know, it is old.

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A lot of people visit the Grand Canyon every year. They are amazed at its size. Some people hike to the bottom of the canyon. It is like walking back in time. At the top of the canyon are the younger rocks. Rocks at the bottom are older. Water has made it possible to study these layers. Scientists use this area to learn about Earth’s past. The Grand Canyon is like a window to the past.

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