Tred Lightly

Nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer... more

by Jon Burch Photography

Title

Tred Lightly

Artist

Jon Burch Photography

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

Nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the surrounding Colorado Plateau was uplifted. While some aspects about the history of the canyon are debated by geologists, several recent studies support the hypothesis that the Colorado River established its course through the area about 5 to 6 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River has driven the down-cutting of the tributaries and retreat of the cliffs, simultaneously deepening and widening the Arizona Grand Canyon.

Uplift associated with mountain formation moved sediments thousands of feet upward and created the Colorado Plateau. The higher elevation has resulted in greater precipitation in the Colorado River drainage area, but the area remains semi-arid. The uplift of the Colorado Plateau is uneven, and the Kaibab Plateau that the Grand Canyon bisects is over one thousand feet higher at the North Rim than at the South Rim. Water runoff from the wetter, higher North Rim flows toward the Canyon, while much of the runoff on the plateau behind the South Rim flows away from following the general tilt of the surface. The result is deeper and longer tributary washes and canyons on the north side and shorter and steeper side canyons on the south side.

For thousands of years, the area has been continuously inhabited by Native Americans, who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site, and made pilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540.

Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition. Your finished photograph will not contain the Fine Art America watermark.

Image copyright 2021 Jon Burch Photography.

Uploaded

November 7th, 2021