Grand Canyon
Samples of different views and different light conditions. Also notice the varying air pollution levels indicated by haziness.
Aspects of Grand Canyon Geology
Photo-labelling of some formations
Simplified Cross Section
'Older Pre-Cambrian'- The
Granite Gorge Metamorphic Suite
These are the dark rocks of the inner gorge lying below the horizontal Palaeozoic strata. The rocks are highly deformed and metamorphosed and consist of schists and granite. Their junction with the horizontal Palaeozoic strata provides a striking example of an unconformity.
'Younger Pre-Cambrian'- The Grand Canyon Supergroup
The tilted layers indicate their sedimentary origin. The tilted strata are also overlain by horizontal Palaeozoic strata and again provide a good example of an unconformity.
From the Walupai entrance to the bottom of the Canyon
Side canyon following a fault. Downthrow is to the left. Pre-Cambrian rocks are
exposed on the right and horizontal Palaeozoic strata on the left.
Granite vein in Pre-Cambrian rocks exposed along a fault in a side
canyon
Bottom of the Canyon
The Colorado cutting into resistant Pre-Cambrian
metamorphics
The Great Unconformity is clearly visible
Small Dyke - visible
in rocks worn as smooth as glass by the Colorado River
