GeologyMillions of years ago the region was at the bottom of a shallow sea. Sedimentary rock, formed on top of older, harder layers of volcanic rocks that were created eons ago. The canyon began forming 5-7 million years ago. The geological force that cut through the rock was erosion. The water draining of rocky mountains carried sand and gravel that cut through the ancient rock. The river cut through layers, walls collapsed, widening the canyons. Today we see many colorful rocks here. each layer representing the different kinds of rocks that formed over many geological ages. Softer rocks forming slopes while harder rocks forming cliffs.
|
BiologyA group of plants and animals living at a specific lifezone. There are a few different types of lifezones here. The Riparian, lower sonoran, upper sonoran, transition, and the boreal life zones. They consist of the canyon tree frog, and the red spotted toad are common here. So are lizards, like the gila monster and the chuckwala are the largest.
Many pests live by the water. Mayflies,mites, beetle, butterflies, and fire ants. Numerous types of spiders are found here. Scorpions are here, some even as big as 4 inches. Antelope, squirrels, and even small pocket mice live here. Snakes are here, 6 kinds of rattlesnakes, watch out!!!
Cottonwoods dot the streams that flow into the river, they grow about 60ft. All the birds rely on these trees, 355 different species of birds to be exact. Bull, male elk sightings are common as well. |