At worst, they may discount the scientific processes used to measure deep time. ![]() At best, readers are left wondering which are the correct (or “best”) ages and why. The same inconsistencies arise for the other rock units in the park. For example, one publication may say that the Kaibab Formation is 270 million years old, while another says 255 million years old. Naturally a non-geoscientist may wonder, “How do you know that?” when a geologist or interpreter says “That rock formed 270 million years ago.” To add to the confusion, both technical and popular literature report a wide variety of numeric ages for Grand Canyon rocks. ![]() Unfortunately, telling geologic time is a mystery to visitors and park staff without backgrounds in Earth science. An appreciation of geologic time places geologic topics such as geomorphology, the origin and evolution of the Colorado River, stratigraphy, historical geology, and paleontology in context. Understanding the park’s natural resources is undeniably intertwined with its geologic history therefore, telling geologic time is an important part of the interpretive efforts at Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona). ![]() ![]() Park Rangers like Stacy Wagner present geology walks and talks daily at Grand Canyon National Park.
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