2. Located in Gunnison, Colorado – also a
National Park.
Approximately 2700 feet at greatest depth.
48 miles in total length.
Received its name the “Black Canyon” due
to the lack of sunlight on the bottom from
the steepness of the canyon.
4. Composed of metamorphic rocks – gneiss and schist.
Gneiss – extreme temperature and
pressured metamorphic rock, almost
to the point of melting.
Schist – very thin, paper-like layers of metamorphic
rock with strong
foliation.
Composed of igneous rocks – quartz monzonite and
pegmatite.
Quartz monzonite – type of granite,
formed from magma that contains a lot of
silica.
Pegmatite – type of granite, consisting of quartz,
feldspar, and mica.
5. Volcanic activity
Erosion
Uplift
The Gunnison River
Itis stated that rock from the Precambrian era
is still existent in the Black Canyon.
Chemical weathering, frosting, rock falls,
landslide movements, etc. all responsible for
creating the depth of the canyon.
6. 1. During the Gunnison Uplift, a huge
section of the Earth’s crust was forced
upward.
2. Erosion took over the new formation and
weathered every exposed surface.
3. Volcanic eruptions accumulated layers,
upon layers of rock.
4. Gunnison River became habitual, more
erosion took place, creating the steep,
narrow canyon.
