Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
I've been fascinated by the layers of the Grand Canyon for the longest time. In this video, I wanted to trace the layers of the Canyon back through geologic time, to learn about and understand what Earth looked like at the time those layers were forming, before the Grand Canyon even existed. What I found was altogether more awe-inspiring and brain-melting than I could have imagined. I hope you enjoy this journey back to Ancient Earth as we explore every. single. layer. of the Grand Canyon. Have fun!
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources
usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-grand-canyon-national-park#:~:text=The three main rock layer,%2C and 3)%20Paleozoic%20strata.
nps.gov/articles/age-of-rocks-in-grand-canyon.htm
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-geology
britannica.com/science/Permian-extinction
nps.gov/articles/000/permian-period.htm
grandcanyonnaturalhistory.com/pages_nature/geology/2-toroweap.html
crateinc.com/grand-canyon-geology
https://gotbooks.miracosta.edu/gonp/coloradoplateau/grandcanyon_strat.htm
nps.gov/articles/000/pennsylvanian-period.htm
nps.gov/articles/000/mississippian-period.htm
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/proterozoic.php
youtube.com/watch?v=ptO71GN4GPk
youtube.com/watch?v=Z6t-psF1jSo
youtube.com/watch?v=GHHhu8K-cYE
youtube.com/watch?v=6R_NAV8Ieuo
researchgate.net/publication/340550094_Chapter_3_Stratigraphy_of_Grand_Canyon_National_Park
nps.gov/subjects/geology/geotime.htm#:~:text=Geologic%20Time%20Scale%20as%20a%20Calendar%20Year&text=Generally%20speaking%2C%20each%20year%20has,%2F%20%5B365%20%C3%97%2024%5D
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/proterozoic.php
nps.gov/subjects/geology/time-scale.htm
nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/grca-geology.htm
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-geology
Music and Images
Storyblocks
Katrina Kenny
Wikimedia Commons (Didier Descouens, Luca Galuzzi, InSapphoWeTrust, selbst gemacht)
Ita Mehrotra
Encyclopedia Britannica
National Park Service (Kristen M. Caldon, Michael Quinn, Rader Lane)
USGS
USFWS (Dave Herasimtschuk)
Arizona Geological Society
Kansas Geological Survey
James St. John
Diego Delso
I've been fascinated by the layers of the Grand Canyon for the longest time. In this video, I wanted to trace the layers of the Canyon back through geologic time, to learn about and understand what Earth looked like at the time those layers were forming, before the Grand Canyon even existed. What I found was altogether more awe-inspiring and brain-melting than I could have imagined. I hope you enjoy this journey back to Ancient Earth as we explore every. single. layer. of the Grand Canyon. Have fun!
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources
usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-grand-canyon-national-park#:~:text=The three main rock layer,%2C and 3)%20Paleozoic%20strata.
nps.gov/articles/age-of-rocks-in-grand-canyon.htm
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-geology
britannica.com/science/Permian-extinction
nps.gov/articles/000/permian-period.htm
grandcanyonnaturalhistory.com/pages_nature/geology/2-toroweap.html
crateinc.com/grand-canyon-geology
https://gotbooks.miracosta.edu/gonp/coloradoplateau/grandcanyon_strat.htm
nps.gov/articles/000/pennsylvanian-period.htm
nps.gov/articles/000/mississippian-period.htm
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/proterozoic.php
youtube.com/watch?v=ptO71GN4GPk
youtube.com/watch?v=Z6t-psF1jSo
youtube.com/watch?v=GHHhu8K-cYE
youtube.com/watch?v=6R_NAV8Ieuo
researchgate.net/publication/340550094_Chapter_3_Stratigraphy_of_Grand_Canyon_National_Park
nps.gov/subjects/geology/geotime.htm#:~:text=Geologic%20Time%20Scale%20as%20a%20Calendar%20Year&text=Generally%20speaking%2C%20each%20year%20has,%2F%20%5B365%20%C3%97%2024%5D
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/proterozoic.php
nps.gov/subjects/geology/time-scale.htm
nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/grca-geology.htm
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-geology
Music and Images
Storyblocks
Katrina Kenny
Wikimedia Commons (Didier Descouens, Luca Galuzzi, InSapphoWeTrust, selbst gemacht)
Ita Mehrotra
Encyclopedia Britannica
National Park Service (Kristen M. Caldon, Michael Quinn, Rader Lane)
USGS
USFWS (Dave Herasimtschuk)
Arizona Geological Society
Kansas Geological Survey
James St. John
Diego Delso
