The Geology of the Grand Canyon: God or Science?

By Rocky Wilson
Author of Sharene:
Death: A Prerequisite For Life

The Geology of the Grand Canyon: God or Science?

Possibly the geology of the Grand Canyon in northwest Arizona, more so than the controversial, sometimes divisive theory know as evolution, provides us with an example of the symbiotic relationship that can exist between God and science.

Although there seem to be no inconsistencies between geological lessons taught us by rock formations found in the huge, 277-mile-long chasm of beauty in the Southwest portion of the U.S. compared to the Word of God according to Genesis 1:9-10, evolutionists and Creationists seen to be on an unavoidable collision course.


Evolutionists--demanding a scientific explanation for the existence of man and the firmament on which he stands, though faced with occasional evolutionary chasms of their own such as to how the long-necked giraffe fits into the evolutionary chain--seem unable to accept the faith element so readily believed by Creationists; hence the conflict.

Because time with God seems to be such a nonentity, the billions of years scientists say it took to shape the four- to-eighteen-mile wide crevice that’s more than a mile deep in many places seem in harmony with Biblical scripture.

No matter one’s ideological beliefs, it’s clear that erosion--water, ice, and wind-- plus the Colorado River, volcano activity, and continental drift all have had a hand in forming the innate beauty of this unique natural treasure.

The history of the Grand Canyon, at best guess according to millions of years of rock formations left exposed today, includes the following dates and events:

* “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.” Genesis 1: 9 (Creationism, not science)

* Five billion years ago, the earth was formed

* 1.7 billion years ago, roots of ancient mountain range now at bottom of Grand Canyon were formed

* 1.25 to 1.1 billion years ago, volcanic activity at Grand Canyon

* 250 million years ago, marine fossils in top layer of Grand Canyon, Kaibab Limestone, only could have formed at bottom of sea

* 60 to 70 million years ago, Rocky Mountains and, later, the Colorado River, begin to form

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From here, scientists offer two possible explanations:

A) 20 million years ago the Colorado River begins carving out the Grand Canyon; 17 million years ago the Colorado Plateau begins to uplift and cause the Colorado River to cut deeper; and 5 million years ago another river moving northward along the San Andreas fault captures the Colorado River on the Colorado Plateau.

B) 35 million years ago the Kaibib Plateau begins to uplift and changes course of Colorado River to the southeast; 12 million years ago the Colorado River’s path to the sea is blocked, and it becomes huge Lake Badahochi; over time, drainage is restored and Lake Badahochi becomes the Little Colorado River.

Whether attributed to God or science, the geology of the Grand Canyon presents one with unparalleled views of beauty and grandeur.