Geology Picture of the Day – Waimea Canyon
I’ll admit that for the most part, my choices for the geology picture of the (almost every-) day have no rhyme or reason. However, today’s picture is actually relevant in my opinion. It’s a beautiful picture of Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai. And why is this relevant? I will be flying to Kauai tomorrow for a vacation with the family.
I found a nice little website about the geology of Kauai, along with a cross section and a geologic map, located here. A simple description of the canyon is also available here.
Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale’s summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals the beauty.
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Waimea Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on the planet…one of my own personal favorites, although I have only looked down in from the road. I am looking forward to hiking in next summer as part of my next field studies course. Watch for the native birds too; their story is as interesting as Darwins Galapagos finches!