How was the Grand Canyon formed?
Water. Water is a major force in eroding the earth. Water carves and moves, loosens and destroys. At the same time, water builds. Since the Grand Canyon is basically a desert, the soil there doesn’t absorb water well. In addition, the plants that grow in the Canyon are shallow rooted. Dry weather doesn’t encourage plants to grow deep roots because deep roots won’t access any water. Therefore, the soil around the plants washes away easily. The result can be flood water rushing with enough force to move boulders when it rains. Ice is another factor when answering “how was the Grand Canyon formed?”. When water freezes in cracks of earth, the water expands, forcing the cracks to become larger. When the water melts, the cracks are more vulnerable to water flows, and in the season, ice again. Ultimately, the cracks can result in rock slides, which further erode the sides of the Canyon. Wind also adds its force to water, blowing soil and debris away. The Colorado River has been working on the
