The deserts in the United States are home to numerous canyons, primarily because of the rapid and intense process of weathering and erosion on the plateaus. These plateaus, which are located in semi-arid and arid regions with sparse vegetation, are highly vulnerable to erosion caused by natural elements.
“The Grand Canyon”
When the term “canyon” is mentioned, the first name that often comes to mind is “The Grand Canyon”.
Most of us are familiar with canyons from our geography textbooks, right? When we think of canyons, we envision picturesque plateaus with distinct ridges, with a river meandering through the valley.
Now, let’s delve further into comprehending the definition of a canyon, as well as its formation and locations.
A canyon is a valley that has been eroded, characterized by its steep sides that consist of nearly vertical rock cliffs. The term gorge is often used interchangeably with canyon, although it typically refers to a smaller and narrower feature.
The Formation of Canyons
Canyons are classified according to the processes that contributed to their creation.
Hells Canyon, located in the Western United States, is a river canyon that is formed by the erosion of a river’s water. The force of the water erodes the river bed, creating a deep and narrow channel. This canyon is known for its significant variations in geography, temperature, and vegetation.
Canyon De Chelly in Arizona is another example of a canyon formed by erosion. In arid regions, water trickles down into the cracks in the rock and freezes during the winter. The expansion of the frozen water causes the cracks to widen, leading to the erosion of rocks and stones. This constant weathering and erosion result in the formation of the canyon.
helicopter, USA” class=”wp-image-58117 size-full” height=”667″ src=https://nebulystic.com/https://nebulystic.com/”https://www.scienceabc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/View-over-the-south-and-north-rim-part-in-grand-canyon-from-the-helicopter-USA.jpg” width=”1000″/> The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a canyon formed by tectonic uplift. The movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s crust causes the landscape to change, resulting in plateaus, mountains, and canyons. The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River, which carved its way through the uplifted land over millions of years.
Why Are Canyons Found In Deserts?
Most canyons are found in deserts because the process of weathering and erosion is more evident in arid regions. Mechanical weathering caused by natural elements is common in deserts, leading to the formation of deep, beautiful canyons over hundreds of years.
The explanation can be found in the same textbook. Dry areas lack vegetation, which means that the thin layer of soil is easily eroded, exposing the bedrock. This exposed bedrock is then influenced by precipitation, temperature fluctuations, and ice-wedging during the winter. All of these natural processes have the potential to erode the rocks. In drier regions, the exposed and eroded nature of the rock makes it easier for rivers to cut through as they pass through these areas.
Most of the deserts in the United States are located in highlands and plateaus, on the side of the mountain ranges that face away from the prevailing winds. This side, known as the rain shadow area, receives little to no rainfall and typically has arid or semi-arid conditions. These highlands and plateaus are usually formed by tectonic uplift. You may be wondering how rivers can even exist in the middle of a desert to erode the plateaus. These rivers originate from the mountain ranges that cast a shadow over the arid plateaus and carve through the rock, creating steep walls and ridges.
The Colorado Plateau, as shown in the image, is a prime example of this geological phenomenon. Now we can understand why many deserts in the United States boast such magnificent canyons! Despite being arid regions, the rivers that originate from the mountain ranges add an extra layer of beauty to the image of canyons that are etched in our minds.