One of the most photographed slot canyons in the American Southwest is Antelope Canyon, a hypnotic natural wonder fashioned by wind and water. For decades both scientists and tourists have been enthralled by this amazing geological creation because of its secrets. From its enigmatic formation processes to the startling physical events occurring within its meandering corridors, this research will expose amazing scientific discoveries about this natural wonder. Get ready for your perspective of this natural beauty totally changed.
1. The Ancient Formation Process
Millions of years separate the scientific narrative of Antelope Canyon’s formation from a complex interaction of geological factors still shaping it now. The formation of the canyon started in the Jurassic era, around 190 million years ago, when the area was part of a huge desert system. Originally derived from ancient sand dunes progressively compacted and cemented over millions of years, Navajo Sandstone is the main kind of rock formation. The most amazing feature is that water was the main architect as flash floods and wind erosion carved the unique smooth, flowing walls of the canyon. Each flood episode can remove up to three feet of sandstone, according to scientists, therefore constantly changing the interior of the canyon and proving the amazing force of water over rock.
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