Grand Canyon fun facts you may not know.

Grand Canyon fun facts you may not know.

The different elevation changes can cause large differences in temperature and precipitation. So even though the North Rim may be a cool 80°F one day, it could get as hot as 100°F down at the bottom of the Canyon!

“Deep canyons and rough terrain strongly influence solar heating and air circulation. Consequently, many different microclimates are found throughout the canyon.

In general, temperature increases 5.5°F with each 1,000 feet loss in elevation.

• The highest temperatures are found at the lowest elevations inside the canyon.
• Low relative humidity and generally clear skies mean that most of the sun’s energy is available for daytime heating.
• These same conditions lead to rapid heat loss at night. Consequently, daily temperature swings are large.

During the dry early summer, average monthly highs are more than 30 degrees warmer than average lows at all stations except Pearce Ferry. Individual days may show even greater swings.” – Grand Canyon National Park Service 

It’s missing 950 Million years of rocks in the geologic sequence – this is also called the Great Unconformity

On a Grand Canyon river trip, you will get the chance to see the many layers of geological sequence rise around you as you progress through the Canyon. At river mile 119 there’s a neat stop called Black Tail Canyon; besides having great acoustics for our guides and guests who play instruments, it is also a great place to see the Great Unconformity for yourself.

The Arizona Geological Survey states that the Great Unconformity “separates the Tapeats Sandstone from ancient Proterozoic rocks. The Great Unconformity represents ~1.2 billion years of missing rock record, either due to erosion or non-deposition.”

More information can be found in this article by LiveScience: A billion years of geologic history is missing from the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake is only found in the Grand Canyon

One of the nine species of rattlesnake found in the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Rattlesnake. The Grand Canyon Rattlesnake (sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon Pink) is a subspecies of rattlesnake found only in the Grand Canyon. They can vary in color from pink, yellow, tan, or grey with spots of varying color as well.

If you see a snake on your trip, don’t panic! The chances are it will be trying to get away from you as soon as it can. Don’t approach, and inform a guide – that way if an alternate path needs to be found (if you are on a hike) the guides can lead you safely past.

You can read the cool story of how the Grand Canyon Rattlesnake was discovered here: Grand Canyon Collective; The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake. 

There are no dinosaur bones in the Grand Canyon, however, there are tracks, and it is home to many other fossils.

When you are on your river trip, there’s a good chance the guides will stop at places where fossils are present, but none of these fossils will be dinosaur bones! The Grand Canyon Rock Layers are older than dinosaurs! However, you may find fossils of other creatures while you are there.

According to the National Park Serice:

“Grand Canyon has so much more than pretty scenery. It contains an amazing diversity of rock formations with an abundance of fossils hidden within.

• The sedimentary rocks exposed throughout the canyon are rich with marine fossils such as crinoids, brachiopods, and sponges with several layers containing terrestrial fossils such as leaf and dragonfly wing impressions, and footprints of scorpions, centipedes, and reptiles.
• Ancient fossils preserved in the rock layers range from algal mats and microfossils from Precambrian Time 1,200 million to 740 million years ago to a multitude of body and trace fossils from the Paleozoic Era 525-270 million years ago.” –Grand Canyon National Park Service 

Sources

Beam, Ali. “The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake – Grand Canyon Collective.” Grand Canyon Collective, 14 Nov. 2017, grandcanyoncollective.com/2017/11/14/the-grand-canyon-pink-rattlesnake/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.

“Fossils – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, 20 Feb. 2022, www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/fossils.htm#:~:text=What%20about%20dinosaur%20fossils%3F. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.

“Grand Canyon Stratigraphy – the Great Unconformity.” AZGS, 25 May 2018, azgs.arizona.edu/photo/grand-canyon-stratigraphy-great-unconformity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.

Pappas, Stephanie . “A Billion Years of Geologic History Is Missing from the Grand Canyon.” Livescience.com, 26 Aug. 2021, www.livescience.com/great-unconformity-supercontinent-breakup.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.

“Rattlesnakes – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, 26 Feb. 2022, www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/rattlesnakes.htm. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.

“Weather and Climate – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, 5 June 2020, www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/weather.htm#:~:text=Grand%20Canyon%20itself%20influences%20weather. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.