Grand Canyon Geology Awe-inspiring and sense disrupting, the Grand Canyon, located in the western state of Arizona,

is one of the United States most well-known landmarks. Formed by erosion caused by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon is over two hundred miles long and a mile deep. Along with the grandeur of its size, the canyon is a colorfully stunning display of natures ability to both destroy and create through natural processes: these attributes draw visitors from around the world to Grand Canyon tours.

The first Europeans to reach the Grand Canyon were the Spanish in the 1500s, but the first settlement to be established near the great gorge was not founded until the mid-1800s. In 1855, John Strong Newberry became the first to scientifically explore the geologic features of the area, making notes on geologic features and ecosystems as he explored. For those who lack the time and/or stamina to brave the mile-deep gorge or traverse the wide expanse of the canyon, companies such as Papillon offer helicopter, airplane, bus, and rafting tours of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is breathtakingly immense. Counting in river miles (miles that curve along the natural path of the Colorado River) the canyon measures approximately 277 miles in length. At its widest point the landmark is 18 miles wide. In depth, the Grand Canyon measures one mile from base to plateau. Great Grand Canyon tours, whether aerial or ground based, make it possible for visitors to enjoy the magnificent landscape in a fun and informative way. According to the National Park Services, the first geologist to endeavor to explore and categorize the massive formation was Clarence Dulton. He originally divided the formation into 5 segments, or steps -- Pink Cliffs (uppermost section), Purple Cliffs, White Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs, and

Chocolate Cliffs (bottom section). Modern geologists have further divided the Grand Canyon into more than 20 individual rock layers, beginning with the Kaibab Limestone (the youngest rock at the top), and ending with the Tapeats Sandstone (the oldest rock at the bottom). While most of the Grand Canyon can be classified as being etched from sedimentary rock, geologists have been able to clearly identify several types of rock within the formation. Metamorphic rock, rocks that are the result of an original rock type going through dramatic change due to heat and/or pressure, are found in the lower portion of the Grand Canyon. The upper gorge consists mainly of sedimentary rock, rock comprised of tiny bits of a variety of rocks. Specific types of rocks found in the many layers of the Grand Canyon include: shale, siltstones, limestone, granites, schist and gneiss. All of the various rocks add to the colorful appearance of the canyon. Visitors to the canyon can begin a Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas or from the Grand Canyon National Park. Millions of tourists visit the canyon each year to take in the beauty and learn about the diversity of the Grand Canyon.

Company Bio Papillon offers helicopter, bus, and airplane tours. The tours are offered starting from four locations: Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon West Arizona, Lake Powell/Page, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more information visit us at: http://www.papillon.com