The
vast territory of the park in Arizona – almost 5,000 square kilometers – is
the second to none due to its curvy labyrinths revealing rocks of different
geochronological periods. According to the works of the scientists
from University of Colorado at Boulder and California Institute of
Technology Grand Canyon appeared about 17 million years ago. Due to
new technologies in archeology new soil layers and incrustations were
found which prove the existence of the river-predecessor flowing the
other way and cutting the rocks before the Colorado made its way as
we used to know it and observe nowadays.
There is a hypothesis that these were the times when our Planet was full
of dinosaurs. The very idea of this Canyon being developed along with the
development of dinosaurs takes the breath away. They were exactly in Arizona.
Magnificent and noble cliffs resting upon the shoulders of the Earth make
people think how feeble, insignificant and unstable the deeds we have now.
The canyons make people respect and take responsibility for every living
natural creature around us. That is why the territory around the Grand
Canyon became a national monument on January, 11th, 1908 and is declared
as national park on February, 19th, 1919. Foundation of the park was one
of the first successes of nature protection movement. The UNESCO declared
Grand Canyon National Park as an object of the worldwide heritage. The
status of national park has helped to prevent the execution of dam construction
on the river Colorado within its borders. Practically, the absence of such
status at the Glenn Canyon and permission of a dam construction above on
a watercourse had caused its flooding and appearance of the lake Powell.
The Grand Canyon, including its extensive system of adjacent canyons, is
neither the greatest, nor the deepest one in the World. However it is known
because of the harmonious combination of the size, depth and multi-colour
layers of the naked rocks which are dated down to the Precambrian period.
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