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Grand Canyon National ParkAcross the Tonto Trail west of Indian Garden
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Grand Canyon National Park
Fly-through Grand Canyon Animation

Over the course of 6 million years, the Grand Canyon has been carved by the Colorado River. One mile (1.6km) deep, 277 miles (433km) long, and up to 18 miles (28.8km)wide, this canyon is like none other. This animated flight is the product of a partnership between NASA, the NPS, and the USGS.

 
 
Grand Canyon Fly-through Animation - Duration 07m 22s
Narration written by Andy Pearce, Rachel Brown. Produced by NASA, NPS, USGS
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NPS Views: Discovery web site
NPS VIEWS - Grand Canyon Discovery

The Grand Canyon truly is a special place. Life abounds within the canyon, in the Colorado River, and even along the rims.

Even humans have inhabited this area for at least the past couple thousand years. Learn more...


 
NPS Views Geology Virtual Tour
NPS VIEWS - Grand Canyon Geology

Grand Canyon is the result of a distinct and ordered combination of geologic events. Through this virtual experience you will be able to travel into this great chasm and unfold the chapters in Grand Canyon’s geologic history. More...


 

This animation work was sponsored by NASA’S Mars Exploration Program
and was produced for Mars Public Engagement’s
National Parks Initiative for Earth/Mars Comparisons
by the Solar System Visualization Project
Research & Technology Development Program
at the Digital Image Animation Laboratory
Image Processing Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology

COLORADO RIVER AT THE BOTTOM OF GRAND CANYON  

Did You Know?
From Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the drop to the Colorado River below is 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The elevation at river level is 2,450 feet (750 m) above sea level. Without the Colorado River, a perennial river in a desert environment, the Grand Canyon would not exist.

Last Updated: March 24, 2009 at 20:30 EST