National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Support the National Park Service
Grand Canyon National ParkAcross the Tonto Trail west of Indian Garden
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Grand Canyon National Park
Flight Into Grand Canyon - (Windows)

One of Earth's few landforms visible from space, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River slices through 277 miles of Northwestern Arizona.

While there are certainly deeper canyons, nowhere else on Earth has width, depth and length combined in such a way as to produce anything quite like this breathtaking chasm.

Over the course of 6 million years, the canyon has been carved by the Colorado River. A mile deep, 277 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide, this canyon is like none other.

If the video does not play smoothly, you may download the file here (14MB WMV File - running time 7:22)

 
 
This animated flight is the product of a partnership between NASA, the NPS, and the USGS, and is a part of the NPS Views Project created for a soon to be released Grand Canyon geology module.
Exotic tamarisk impacting the Colorado River corridor  

Did You Know?
The impacts caused by tamarisk within the Grand Canyon are well documented. These prolific non-native shrubs displace native vegetation and animals, alter soil salinity, and increase fire frequency. What is park management doing about this exotic plant?
more...

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: April 11, 2008 at 17:04 EST