JOURNAL ARTICLE
Grand canyon's origin resolved? Ancient lake's flood may have etched famed gorge: Mineral grains show Colorado River filled a basin at the canyon's head millions of years ago.
Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3
Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Voosen, Paul 3 of 3
Abstract
The article focuses on new geological evidence regarding the formation of the Grand Canyon, suggesting that about 6.6 million years ago, the Colorado River filled a deep lake upstream of the canyon, which eventually overtopped a high plateau known as the Kaibab Plateau. This spillover event may have released a powerful flood that carved the canyon over time. Researchers analyzed zircon mineral grains in lake-bottom sediments from the Bidahochi Basin, identifying a shift in sediment sources consistent with the Colorado River’s arrival. While this supports the "fill and spill" hypothesis for the canyon’s origin, alternative scenarios remain possible, and some details about the river’s earlier course and the timing of canyon formation are still uncertain. [Extracted from the article]
Additional Information
- Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/04, pN.PAG
- Document Type:Article
- Subject Area:Environmental Sciences
- Publication Date:2026
- Accession Number:193098134
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