Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Zircon crystals found in the Grand Canyon act as “natural time capsules,” preserving details of Earth’s ancient past, including tectonic movements and volcanic activity.
Credit: Wikipedia
Once thought to be sculpted solely by the Colorado River five to six million years ago, new evidence suggests a more complex formation history spanning hundreds of millions of years.
Zircon crystals, formed under extreme pressure and heat, hold uranium that decays into lead. This process allows scientists to date geological events with remarkable accuracy.
These crystals reveal a turbulent history of tectonic plate shifts and volcanic activity, challenging long-held theories about the canyon’s evolution.
Zircons also provide isotopic data about ancient environmental conditions, including temperature, pressure, and the composition of prehistoric oceans.
Representative pic
New findings suggest volcanic activity and tectonic movements elevated the region, setting the stage for erosion, rather than it being purely shaped by river forces.
According to Demery (2024), the Grand Canyon may have started forming millions of years earlier than previously believed, altering our understanding of its timeline.
This discovery urges a reevaluation of long-held beliefs about the Grand Canyon’s formation, pointing to a much slower and more intricate geological evolution.
Autrey-Mulligan plans to share these findings with young scientists, fostering fresh discoveries and dispelling myths about one of Earth’s greatest wonders.