The question of how the Grand Canyon was created has been asked by inquisitive minds for centuries and the answer continues to ailure scientists today. Was it formed by the action of receding waters, or by the silent hand of time and erosion? While much is unknown, there is evidence to suggest that the flood may have played a role in forming the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is situated in the Colorado Plateau, southwest of the US and has been the site of huge geological upheaval. Only recently has science been able to explain its formation and the role the flood may have had in creating the vast gorge. The age of the Grand Canyon is estimated to be in the region of seventy million years and the canyon is around one mile deep, up to 18 miles wide and around 277 miles long.
The 2011 issue of the Journal of Geology postulated that a critical juncture of the Grand Canyon’s formation was a great flood which occurred more than 5 million years ago. The water filled the canyon and during that period, the currents and movements of the water over time carved the canyon to what we see today. If these theories are true, it would have had an immense impact on the form and shape of the Grand Canyon.
It is possible that the water could have eroded through the Colorado Plateau, causing it to disappear, providing support for the notion that the ancient floods could have played a role in the Grand Canyon’s formation. It is thought that the floods may have been caused by retreating glaciers during the last ice age or perhaps a large meteor or asteroid struck the area.
Theories of the Grand Canyon’s formation are still being studied by scientists today and both previous and current research shows that the flood could have played a part. By accounting for powerful currents and cutting away the sedimentary layers that were exposed as the canyon opened up, the flood waters were able to shape the form of the canyon.
The powerful force of the water, the erosive power of debris, and the entangling of sedimentary deposits are just three of the processes that were active during the floods. Researchers such as the famous John Wesley Powell, the first European explorer, have spent time examining the area. He noted that the physical characteristics of the canyon suggested that a large body of water was able to cause great changes in the landscape.
Many experts have argued that the Continental Divide is testimony to the great flood which swept through the area and created the Grand Canyon. The Continental Divide is a line in the mountains which marks the boundary between two large waterways, the Atlantic watershed and the Pacific watershed.
Regardless of the theory, the idea that a natural disaster of immense power played a role in the canyon’s formation echoes through history. The evidence shows that the canyon was formed by a powerful event and it stands as a reminder of the immense power of nature.
Geological Data
The evidence in support of the Flood Theory is rather compelling and consistent with information gathered in geological studies. Over time, the layers of sediment have accumulated eroding away most of the sediment and rocks that made up the walls of the canyon.
Geologists agree that the canyon was exposed to extreme conditions which lead to massive erosion in just a few million years. The sedimentary rocks are believed to have been cut away in one-eighth to one-third of the time it would have taken the Gulf Stream to carve away the walls. This is further evidence that a frantic natural event must have taken place, most likely in the form of a flood.
Numerous geological studies have also been done in the area to determine the age of the Canyon and the pattern of erosion it has experienced. Samples of the sedimentary rocks can be compared to more recent erosion layers to find the exact age of the canyon. Additionally, rare dark bands of rock in the canyon walls offer further evidence that a tremendous amount of water is responsible for much of the erosion.
Archaeological Evidence
The Flood Theory is also supported by archaeological studies. Many excavations in the area have uncovered evidence which points to a large flood and a sudden change in environment. Ancient fossils, discovered deep in the canyon, appear to be the same species of animals that existed long before the canyon was formed.
This is further proof that a large body of water had been rushing through the area for a considerable amount of time, as it is very likely that the animals would not have survived such rapid changes in the environment. Additionally, ancient Native American artifacts and pottery have been found at various levels within the canyon, which suggests that flooding occurred in the area.
Historical Accounts
Historical accounts also offer further evidence to support the notion that the Grand Canyon was formed by a flood. There are numerous accounts of Native American tribes and settlers recounting stories of a great flood which caused the canyon to form. These stories have been passed down for generations and vary in detail, but all tell of a dramatic event that caused the canyon to be formed in a short period of time.
The Navajo tribe has a creation myth which tells of a Great Flood which washed away the first world. This myth may be a recollection of a real event which occurred thousands of years ago. Additionally, John Wesley Powell documented his own experiences of the canyon and wrote about the immense power of the water which was capable of carving the canyon walls.
Scientific Analysis
The Flood Theory is based on both scientific and historical evidence and has been accepted as a logical explanation by the scientific community. Through their research, many geologists and archaeologists agree that the canyon was formed by a large body of water, most likely generated by a flood. The evidence from geological layers, archaeological excavations, and historical accounts throughout time all provide support for this notion.
The Flood Theory is also supported by recent experiments and simulations. Scientists have been able to replicate the conditions and events necessary for the formation of the Grand Canyon and have seen results which indicate the role the flood may have had. From these experiments, it is possible to calculate the amount of water that would have been required and the speeds and power that the water needed to reach in order to cause the extreme erosion observed in the canyon walls.
Implications
The Grand Canyon is a stunning and remarkable testament to the tremendous power of nature and it’s possible that the great Flood was a major contributor to its formation. Aside from its remarkable beauty, the canyon holds a wealth of history, mystery, and knowledge which we are still uncovering today. An understanding of how the Grand Canyon was formed can help us to better understand our own environment and to better prepare and protect us against natural disasters of similar magnitudes.
Environmental Impact
The question of how the Grand Canyon was formed also has implications for our environment as we know it. If such a powerful event was responsible for the creation of the canyon, it could have had a devastating effect on the life and the environment of the surrounding area. It is possible that the flood could have caused massive waves, decreased water quality, and destroyed plant life in the area.
It is also possible that the catastrophe could have wiped out animal life and triggered great seismic activity, releasing massive amounts of water, soil, and debris. Scientists are unsure of the exact impact the flood had on the environment, but it is likely that it was massive.
Geological Conclusions
Although the precise age of the canyon is unknown, the evidence suggests that it was formed by major geological forces. One explanation is that a great flood occurred in the area which triggered massive changes in the canyon walls. The evidence from archaeological remains, geological findings, and historical accounts overwhelmingly support this idea.
Scientists are still piecing together the story of the Grand Canyon’s formation and there is still much to learn from the ancient structure. However, it is reasonable to presume that the Flood Theory serves as a valid explanation for the creation of the canyon and it’s reasonable to believe that the grand canyon may indeed have been formed by a powerful event.
