A meteorite effect thousands of years ago may have prompted the landslide to the Grand Canyon and corrected the Colorado River running at the National Park.
Geologists studying Driftwood and Lake Sediments found in Stanton’s cave – in marble canyon, located on the eastern side of Grand Canyon – reveals a possible connection between the area and the famous part of the site known as Meteor Crater (Also called Barringer Crater) in northern Arizona.
Through excavation and many rounds of radiocarbon dating, researchers determine Driftwood about 56,000 years old. However, Stanton’s Cave’s mouth seated 150 feet (46 meters) above the Colorado River. A new study suggests the tree that is carried there by an ancient Palehuke, formed if a large landslide breaks the river.
“Must have a 10-time largest flood level than any floods occur in the past one thousand years,” Karl Professor of the University of New Mexico, says a statement from university.
It is admitted to study that the attack that makes Meteor Crater can be linked to a Paleolake – an ancient lake that exists in the past. The effect can be an earthquake around the force 5.4 to 6, which may send a shock wave that loud strength to shaking the unstable banks of the Grand Canyon. That event, in turn, can be deposited enough rubbish in the river and become a lake.
Other holes tall in the river also explored for signs about the geological period of canyon. In addition to Driftwood, the old beaver tracks were found in areas not accessible to animals living in water today, further supporting the idea that a Palesolake was in place.
With driftwood samples and sediment found in large caves as high up to 3,084 feet (940 m) which is approximately 50 kilometers long and nearly 300 feet (91 m) deep. Over time, the Dam blocking the Colorado River could have fallen and deep-filled, finally filled with sediment.
While there is evidence that links Paleolake, the meteorite The impact and outcome of the landslide, designers noticed that further study is required to eliminate any other possible explanations for River Rockfall or a larger earthquake at the same time.
Their findings Published July 15 In the Geology Journal.
