Dating the rock layers seen in the grand canyon (old earth vs. young earth)

How can we date the rocks of the Grand Canyon?

The usual solution is to date the rocks by radiometric dating methods, which are supposed to be capable of dating rocks billions of years old. Rocks of volcanic origin are the best ones to use in dating rocks this way, since radiometric elements are plentiful in them. The Grand Canyon has volcanic rocks near the bottom and at the top.

How old are the layers of rock in the Grand Canyon?

ICR believes that the strata, the layers of rock in the Grand Canyon, were primarily formed during Noahs flood perhaps only five thousand years ago. Most geologists, including Christian old-earth creationists, believe that the strata were laid down over hundreds of millions of years.

Why isnt the Grand Canyon full of rocks?

A major reason is that even at the present rate of erosion in the Grand Canyon, it would take as little as 71,000 years to erode the amount of rock currently missing from the Grand Canyon. Also, all of the sediment that would have to be eroded away during 70 million years has not been located.

How was the Grand Canyon formed?

Lately, however, the canyon has also inspired controversy, specifically over its origins. It is generally held by the scientific community that the Grand Canyon formed by the slow erosion of the Colorado River over millions of years. Dr.

How old are the rocks in the Grand Canyon?

To add to the confusion, both technical and popular literature report a wide variety of numeric ages for Grand Canyon rocks. For example, one publication may say that the Kaibab Formation is 270 million years old, while another says 255 million years old. The same inconsistencies arise for the other rock units in the park.

How did the Grand Canyon get its rocks?

In particular, the Imperial Formation contains microfossils from rock layers on the Colorado Plateau. The Colorado River, then, must have been carrying eroded rock materials from the Plateau to its mouth by 5 million years ago. The opening of the Colorado River’s outlet, the Gulf of California, was a significant event in the story of Grand Canyon.

When did the Grand Canyon start and end?

Research suggests that the Colorado River is estimated to have started eroding and downcutting the Grand Canyon at least 17 million years ago to as much as 70 million years ago, depending on who you ask and what section of the Grand Canyon you are asking about. But when did the downcutting “finish”?

Where can I explore the geology of the Grand Canyon?

Learn about Red Rock Canyon’s stunning geology and discover 8 formations you can explore when you visit, including the Keystone Thrust Fault and Calico Hills. Located on the South Rim within the Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon Village contains many of the Grand Canyon’s most iconic buildings and structures.

What caused the formation of the Grand Canyon?

Lesson Summary. The Grand Canyon is a large, deep river valley in Northeastern Arizona. The main cause of the erosion that formed the Grand Canyon was water; most scientists agree that it formed when the Colorado River started carving through layers of volcanic rock and sediment between five million and six million years ago.

How long did it take to form the Grand Canyon?

This natural landmark formed about five to six million years as erosion from the Colorado River cut a deep channel through layers of rock. The Grand Canyon contains some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth.

Was the Grand Canyon carved before the Colorado River?

Some scientists think that an ancient river carved most of the Grand Canyon before the Colorado River even existed. Two older canyons, one as old as 70 million years, may have become part of the modern-day Grand Canyon. Not all scientists agree with this, but thats okay. Questioning and discovery are what make science so cool!

What is the Grand Canyon?

Explore the Grand Canyon, one of the largest and most famous canyons in the world. Learn how water formed the Grand Canyon, how long it took for form, and why the sides of the canyons are made of striped layers of rock. Updated: 12/06/2021 Welcome to the Grand Canyon! A canyon is basically a gigantic valley or gorge in the Earths surface.