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The Grand Canyon GeoTour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to witness the sheer power of water—differently than is described in modern science—in the formation of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Grand Canyon has long been a source of fascination for geologists and tourists alike due to its sheer size, beauty, and unique geological features. In this article, we will explore the formation of the Grand Canyon, the role of water in its creation, and the significance of Noah’s Flood in shaping this magnificent landscape. We will also explore the Grand Canyon GeoTour experience, its benefits, and how to plan your visit.
Introduction to the Grand Canyon GeoTour
The Grand Canyon GeoTour is a guided exploration of the Grand Canyon’s geological history from the perspective of a Young Earth. Led by experienced guides Russ Barlow & Dean Sessions, the tour takes visitors on a journey through time, from the Earth’s Creation through the formation of the canyon’s layers to its present-day state. The tour offers visitors the opportunity to witness firsthand the first layers of Flood-created rock while learning about the experimental evidence of how sandstone and limestone formed rapidly, including the extraordinary importance of the water present during Noah’s Flood. But that’s not all. This tour will also demonstrate the true origin of Arizona’s most studied crater, Meteor Crater, with private time on the rim, where our guests will discover the critical ingredient required to form petrified wood. Our final destination is the wonderland of Petrified Forest National Park, where everyone can walk among thousands of petrified logs and crystal forests, but this year will include an extraordinary add-on—the solar eclipse of 2023!
Formation of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a geological wonder that spans 277 miles and is up to 18 miles wide in some places. Most geologists believe the canyon was formed around 5 to 6 million years ago due to erosion caused by the Colorado River. However, the exact process by which the canyon was formed and its age are still hotly debated. On our GeoTour, you will learn about processes and the geologic evidence that can explain how the canyon formed much faster than modern science thinks.
One of the most widely accepted theories is that the Grand Canyon was formed by a combination of uplift and erosion that began millions of years ago following multiple millions-of-years episodes of sediment deposition and uplift of the Colorado Plateau to rise. Presumably, the plateau was gradually eroded by the Colorado River and its tributaries, carving deep channels into the rock and exposing the layers of sedimentary rock that make up the canyon walls. But there are countless problems with every part of that theory, many of which our guides will address and answer during the tour.
With knowledge about the processes that form quartz crystals, which is the primary component of all sandstone, and the concurrent events happening in the thousands-of-feet-deep water that covered the Earth during the Flood, the rapid deposition of the layers of sandstone, limestone, and shale will make sense. Furthermore, the 1200-foot elevation difference between the North and South Rim will help explain how the canyon itself actually formed.
The Role of Water in the Formation of the Grand Canyon
Water has played a crucial role in forming the Grand Canyon but in very different ways than present-day canyon experts understand. All rocks are formed in water, and nearly all rocks have water inside. We demonstrate how much water at one of our stops on the way to the canyon from Las Vegas.
The Colorado River and its tributaries play a role in the ongoing erosion of the canyon. Flowing water carries tons of sediment downstream, forming and moving sandbars on the riverbanks. Fast-moving water can carve away some of the canyon’s layers, especially during periods of flash flooding. But these are not the forces that formed the canyon or the layers through which the river flows. To understand that, we have to understand the effects of the water present during Noah’s Flood.
Noah’s Flood and its Significance in the Formation of the Grand Canyon
Noah’s Flood is a biblical event that occurred around 4,300 years ago. According to the Bible, the Flood was a catastrophic event that wiped out nearly all life on Earth. While the story of Noah’s Flood is often viewed as a religious myth by modern science, there is robust evidence of a catastrophic flood in the geological record.
Experimental evidence produced by Universal Model researchers demonstrates that water approximately 30,000 feet deep is required to achieve the pressure necessary to form quartz crystals and sandstone. In addition to the water and pressure from depth, a source of heat of approximately 350° is required to produce the hypretherm environment. All of these were possible during the Flood.
Geologists understand that limestone, a common and abundant rock layer in the Grand Canyon, is formed in a marine environment. Limestone is a carbonate rock made of the dead remains of minute life forms such as algae. For the modern geologist, there is no explanation for the formation of multiple layers of limestone other than the periodic inundation of seas over millions of years. But the events of Noah’s Flood also answer all of the requirements for rapid deposition and layering between sandstone and shale, without millions of years.
Evidence of Noah’s Flood in the Grand Canyon
Although modern geologists reject Noah’s Flood, there is evidence in the Grand Canyon that can be answered in no other way. One example is the crossbedding of sandstone in the Coconino Sandstone layer. Modern geologists explain this phenomenon as being the result of sand dune formation. In this theory, sand was blown across the continent, forming dunes on the Colorado Plateau. These later became rock over millions of years. The problem they don’t account for is the strike angle of the dune slope. When sand forms a dune in a wind-blown environment, it creates an angle of repose of about 32-34°. The Coconino cross-bedded dunes show an angle of only about 20° , which matches the typical strike of sand when it forms underwater dune-like structures.
Other evidence of Noah’s Flood includes the presence of marine fossils in the canyon, including giant nautilus-like fossils in the Redwall Limestone. However, some of the best evidence of the Flood is what is NOT there! There are no intermittent layers of soil between the layers of supposed shallow seas and deposition of sand and other sediment. There are also no layers of coal or oil. And there are no mammal fossils—only marine fossils.
The Grand Canyon GeoTour experience
The Grand Canyon GeoTour offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the true formation of the Grand Canyon and surrounding environs, beginning in Las Vegas, where one can walk up to and stand on the basement rocks of the canyon—the rocks formed during the Earth’s original Creation. We examine much of the Flood evidence on the way to the canyon, including desert varnish, the Flood-microbe-formed black layer covering many desert rocks. We also take a trip into a hard-rock gold mine from the 1800s and learn about the electricity in the rocks associated with the gold veins.
Our tour includes a sunrise over the rim event that many have described as purely spiritual. We visit a Navajo trading post for lunch, walk among the ruins of the ancient Puebloans, examine the proof of hydrovolcanoes at Sunset Crater volcano, and hike down into the Coconino cliffs where ancient cliff dwellers lived.
We also tour the Arizona Hydrocrater, also known as Meteor Crater, learning about the importance of this crater in the scheme of how science dates the age of the Earth. (Spoiler alert – we show that the Earth is not billions of years old!)
This year only, we have the glorious opportunity to add a solar eclipse to our itinerary! This will be a complete annular eclipse allowing us to view the Sun as the moon covers it. It’s not the same as a total solar eclipse because the Moon is farthest from the Earth and, therefore, slightly smaller than usual. But it is still an extraordinary event!
Benefits of the Grand Canyon GeoTour
The Grand Canyon GeoTour offers a range of benefits for visitors. First and foremost, it provides a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders within a Biblical tradition. The tour is also educational, providing visitors with insights into the true geological history of the canyon and the methods of sandstone, limestone, and petrified wood formation. You will learn the true role that water played in the formation and shaping of the canyon, the layers of rock that make up the Colorado Plateau, and many other unique features.
In addition to its educational value, the Grand Canyon GeoTour is also a great way to meet new friends with a shared desire to understand Nature through the lens of the Bible, but with a true understanding of its science. Russ and Dean are well-versed in the Universal Model explanation of everything you will see on the tour.
Planning your Grand Canyon GeoTour
If you’re interested in taking the Grand Canyon GeoTour, you should keep a few things in mind when planning your trip. First, be sure to book your tour well in advance, as spaces can fill up quickly. You should also be prepared for moderate physical activity, as the tour involves some hiking, including a significant number of steps on the Island hike at Walnut Canyon.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes when packing for your tour. You should also dress in layers, as the temperature can vary significantly throughout the day. Finally, be sure to bring a camera and a notebook to capture the breathtaking views and your thoughts about the unique geological features and stories you will hear on the tour.
Conclusion: Understanding the Power and Importance of Water in the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a geological wonder that offers a unique insight into the power of water in the formation and shaping of our planet’s landscape. The Grand Canyon GeoTour provides visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness firsthand the sheer magnitude and beauty of this natural wonder and to learn about water’s role in its formation.
Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, the Grand Canyon GeoTour is a must-see. Join the tour and witness the power of water in the formation of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
