View from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

November 17, 2009

20091117 – Tuesday - View from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Photographer: Dottie Edwards
Summary Author:
Dottie EdwardsNovember 2009 Earth Science Picture of the Day Viewer's Choice

This breathtaking view of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona was taken from the Yavapai Point Observation Station in August of 2006. In essence, the Grand Canyon formed when significant uplift of the Colorado Plateau caused the Colorado River to increase its velocity. This increased velocity has carved out the canyon that we see today. The river is still actively cutting, deepening and widening the canyon. The Grand Canyon is indeed grand, being over one mile (1.6 km) deep at its deepest point and nearly 15 miles wide (24 km) at its widest point. While visiting Grand Canyon National Park, I camped at the Mather Campground. When storms roll in (note the cumulonimbus buildup in the background), the thunder echoes up and down the canyon in a way I've never heard before. It's actually more dangerous to be on the canyon rims during a thunderstorm than to be deep within the canyon. The potential for being struck by lightning is greater at the rim’s higher and more exposed elevation.

Grand Canyon Coordinates: 36° 6′ 0″ N, 112° 6′ 0″ W