Grand Canyon is "Really Old"

The Grand Canyon, carved out over the eons by rushing river water, began to form 17 million years ago, making it nearly three times older than previously thought, scientists said on Thursday.

The general consensus among geologists had been that the famed natural landmark in Arizona was about 6 million years old.

But now University of New Mexico scientists say it is far older based on their findings using a technique called uranium-lead isotope to date mineral deposits in caves from nine sites in the canyon's walls.

The cave formations provided a record of a dropping water table as the canyon deepened.

more details here...

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0623480020080306?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

This pic was taken by your humble correspondent on the way to LAX in April of 2003. Our US Airways pilot was making his final flight before retiring, and had his 80-something year old mother on board across the aisle from us. He got special routing to fly closer over the canyon than normal so she could see it. That's the North Rim...