Video
How Was the Grand Canyon Formed?
How was The Grand Canyon made. Watch the video below to find out.
Video Summary
- Geological History: The Grand Canyon’s formation started around 1.8 billion years ago, initially with mountains taller than the Himalayas which eventually eroded into hills. This area was then covered by ancient oceans that deposited layers of sediment, sand, mud, and seashells, forming a layer cake-like rock formation through compression over hundreds of millions of years.
- Tectonic Uplift: About 70-80 million years ago, tectonic forces pushed the region upwards, forming a high plateau and creating the conditions for the Colorado River to carve into the uplifted layers, initiating the formation of the Grand Canyon.
- Colorado River Formation: Roughly 5-6 million years ago, the Colorado River formed, primarily from the melting snow from the nearby Rocky Mountains. Despite being narrower compared to other rivers like the Mississippi and the Amazon, the river has a steep gradient, dropping 10 feet per mile it travels, which allowed it to carve deep into the plateau, behaving like “liquid sandpaper.”
- Canyon Widening: The canyon’s wide formation is due to natural erosion processes, with gravity playing a vital role. Rain and ice gradually chipped away at the canyon walls, and as materials fell, they were carried downstream, aiding in the gradual widening of the canyon.
- Ongoing Changes and Research: The Grand Canyon continues to change, becoming deeper and wider as the Colorado River carries about half a million tons of silt, sand, and rocks downstream daily. Researchers and geologists continue to study this dynamic landscape, and our understanding of the canyon’s history evolves as new discoveries are made. Native Americans called the site “Kaibab,” which means “mountain lying down” or “upside-down mountain,” a name that remarkably matches the geological history outlined by the rocks at the canyon’s base.
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Video
12 Fun Facts About The Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a breathtaking engineering marvel. Watch the video, and imagine yourself being there. You’ll be talking about your experience for the rest of your life.
The Fun Facts…
Fact 1
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that gives visitors an exhilarating view of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim.
Fact 2
It opened to the public in March 2007 and juts out about 70 feet out into the canyon.
Fact 3
The Skywalk is designed to hold the weight of seventy-one fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes, which means it can sustain weights of over 70 million pounds.
Fact 4
The deck of the Grand Canyon Skywalk is made from five layers of Saint-Gobain Diamant low iron glass and DuPont SentryGlas. Together, these provide maximum clarity and strength.
Fact 5
The U-shaped bridge is capable of withstanding up to 100 mph winds from 8 different directions.
Fact 6
It is funded by the Hualapai Indian tribe which owns a million acres at the West Rim of the canyon.
Fact 7
This incredible engineering marvel is located at a height of 4,000 ft above the canyon floor. This is higher than any skyscraper currently in existence.
Fact 8
The Skywalk was not built from the edge of the canyon towards the center. Instead, it was constructed on top of the edge and then swung out over the open space, a feat achieved by the sophisticated precision of GPS units.
Fact 9
Contrary to misconceptions, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is not located within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, but instead on the land of the Hualapai Tribe. It’s a two-hour drive from Las Vegas.
Fact 10
The entire construction and installation of the Skywalk took two years to complete, from March 2004 to March 2006.
Fact 11
The Grand Canyon Skywalk cost about $30 million to construct.
Fact 12
Many visitors find walking on the Skywalk to be a thrilling and even nerve-wracking experience due to the clear glass floor, offering a direct view right down to the canyon floor.
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Video
Discover the Grand Canyon Like Never Before – On the Skywalk Glass Bridge
Situated at the center of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Skywalk is a renowned glass bridge that should not be missed. Discover the reasons behind its reputation as an “engineering marvel” and delve into the fascinating history of Eagle Point.
Video Summary
- The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge extending 70 feet over the canyon’s edge, providing a view 4,000 feet straight down through a glass floor.
- Constructed with over 1.2 million pounds of steel and glass, it can withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, wind speeds up to 100 mph, and the weight of 71 fully loaded Boeing 747s.
- The Skywalk offers unique views of the Grand Canyon, including a front-row seat to Eagle Point, a site sacred to the Hualapai tribe and named for a rock formation resembling an eagle.
- The Hualapai tribe reveres Eagle Point for its legend that an eagle warned people of a great flood, then turned to stone while watching over them from the canyon’s rim.
- Visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk offers a singular experience of standing at the intersection of a natural wonder and a marvel of human engineering, enhancing the view of the canyon’s depths below.
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Video
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours From Las Vegas
Did you know you can start a Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas? Watch the video to see how the tour goes.
Video Summary
- The helicopter tour starts from Las Vegas, offering an exciting ride with a view of several parks, Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead before reaching the Grand Canyon.
- The participants are impressed with the beautiful views during the flight, comparing the experience to being in a movie and expressing awe at the natural beauty in the Grand Canyon.
- Once at the Grand Canyon, there is an opportunity for a picnic accompanied by champagne, allowing guests to enjoy the spectacular scenery in a relaxed setting.
- The return journey includes flying over the Las Vegas Strip, with some suggesting that the views are even better on the way back, potentially enhanced by the champagne enjoyed earlier.
- The tour is very well received, with attendees praising the impressive views, the fun experience of flying in a helicopter, and the unique opportunity to land in and experience the Grand Canyon firsthand.
Check out one of these tours yourself for the experience of a lifetime.
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