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{{Short description|Canyon in Southwestern Utah US}}
{{Infobox valley {{Infobox valley
|name = Zion Canyon |name = Zion Canyon
|other_name = Mukuntuweap |other_name = Mukuntuweap
|photo = ZionPark amk.jpg |photo = Zion_angels_landing_view.jpg
|photo_caption = Zion Canyon viewed from the canyon floor |photo_caption = Zion Canyon from ] at sunset
|photo_size = 300 |photo_size = 300
|coordinates = {{coord|37|09|54|N|113|00|43|W|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |coordinates = {{coord|37|09|54|N|113|00|43|W|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
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}} }}


'''Zion Canyon''' (also called '''Little Zion''', '''Mukuntuweap''', '''Mu-Loon'-Tu-Weap''', and '''Straight Cañon'''; ''weap'' is ] for ]) is a deep and narrow gorge in southwestern ], ], carved by the North Fork of the ]. Nearly the entire canyon is located within the western half of ].<ref>{{cite web '''Zion Canyon''' (also called '''Little Zion''', '''Mukuntuweap''', '''Mu-Loon'-Tu-Weap''', and '''Straight Cañon'''; ''weap'' is ] for ]) is a deep and narrow gorge in southwestern ], carved by the North Fork of the ]. Nearly the entire canyon is located within the western half of ].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm |url=http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
|title=Zion National Park, Utah |title=Zion National Park, Utah
|publisher=] |publisher=]
⚫ |access-date=2009-11-03}}</ref>
|date=
⚫ |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>


==Description== ==Description==
] ]
] ]
] ]
The beginning of the canyon is usually delineated as the ], a vertical-walled natural amphitheater nearly {{convert|3000|ft|m}} deep. The canyon actually begins much further upstream, however, and runs southward about {{convert|16|mi|km}} through the Narrows to reach the Temple, where a seasonal tributary of the North Fork plunges over a tall waterfall during spring runoff and after heavy rain. The gorge then runs southwest through the national park, approaching {{convert|2000|ft|m}} deep in places. While the canyon rim is dominated by desert, the canyon floor supports a forest and ] watered by the North Fork Virgin River. The gorge then merges with Pine Creek Canyon as it winds out of the national park and past the community of ]. The canyon's end is where it meets the Virgin River, some {{convert|100|mi|km}} northeast of ], which the river ultimately flows into.<ref>{{cite map The beginning of the canyon is usually delineated as the Temple of Sinawava, a vertical-walled natural amphitheater nearly {{convert|3000|ft|m}} deep. The canyon begins much further upstream, however, and runs southward about {{convert|16|mi|km}} through the Narrows to reach the Temple, where a seasonal tributary of the North Fork plunges over a tall waterfall during spring runoff and after heavy rain. The gorge then runs southwest through the national park, approaching {{convert|2000|ft|m}} deep in places. While the canyon rim is dominated by desert, the canyon floor supports a forest and ] watered by the North Fork Virgin River. The gorge then merges with Pine Creek Canyon as it winds out of the national park and past the community of ]. The canyon's end is where it meets the Virgin River; some {{convert|100|mi|km}} northeast of ], into which the river ultimately flows.<ref>{{cite map
|publisher=ACME Mapper |publisher=ACME Mapper
|title=USGS Topo Maps for United States |title=USGS Topo Maps for United States
|cartography=] |cartography=]
|accessdate=2009-10-29 |access-date=2009-10-29
|url=http://mapper.acme.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |url=http://mapper.acme.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite map
|url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/zion/Maps.htm |url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/zion/Maps.htm
Line 34: Line 34:
|title=Zion National Park Maps |title=Zion National Park Maps
|cartography=National Park Service |cartography=National Park Service
|accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> |access-date=2009-11-03}}</ref>


Zion Canyon Drive and ] are the two major roads throughout the canyon. Zion Canyon Drive ends at the Temple of Sinawava, where the Riverside Walk trail follows the river upstream to the lower end of the Zion Narrows. Hiking trails further upstream descend into the Narrows, where the canyon floor is on average {{convert|20|ft|m}} wide. Hiking is permitted in the Narrows when water levels are low enough, however, ]s are known to rise quickly following heavy rainstorms. Many areas in the drainage of Zion Canyon have little or no soil cover, contributing to extremely brief but heavy storm runoff. In contrast, the floor of most of the main Zion Canyon is close to {{convert|1000|ft|m}} wide, and is rich with river-deposited sediments. Tributaries to the river within the canyon include Deep, Kolob, Goose, Pine, and Oak Creeks.<ref>{{cite web Zion Canyon Drive and ] are the two major roads throughout the canyon. Zion Canyon Drive ends at the Temple of Sinawava, where the Riverside Walk trail follows the river upstream to the lower end of the Zion Narrows. Hiking trails further upstream descend into the Narrows, where the canyon floor is, on average {{convert|20|ft|m}} wide. Hiking is permitted in the Narrows when water levels are low enough; however, ]s are known to rise quickly following heavy rainstorms. Many areas in the drainage of Zion Canyon have little or no soil cover, contributing to extremely brief but heavy storm runoff. In contrast, the floor of most of the main Zion Canyon is close to {{convert|1000|ft|m}} wide and is rich with river-deposited sediments. Tributaries to the river within the canyon include Deep, Kolob, Goose, Pine, and Oak Creeks.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-canyon.htm |url=http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-canyon.htm
|title=Zion National Park |title=Zion National Park
|publisher=zionnational-park.com |publisher=zionnational-park.com
⚫ |access-date=2009-11-03}}</ref>
|date=
⚫ |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>


==Geology and history== ==Geology and history==
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Geologically Zion Canyon is part of the ] ], which contained many joints and cracks when first uplifted, one of which was cut by the North Fork of the Virgin River to become Zion Canyon. The river was the largest force in cutting the canyon, mostly by ], as the average flow of the river is very light. This relatively quick downcutting has left many seasonal tributaries with ]s. Some of the largest tributaries have cut down to nearly an equal elevation as the valley floor. Geologically Zion Canyon is part of the ] ], which contained many joints and cracks when first uplifted, one of which was cut by the North Fork of the Virgin River to become Zion Canyon. The river was the largest force in cutting the canyon, mostly by ], as the average flow of the river is very light. This relatively quick downcutting has left many seasonal tributaries with ]s. Some of the largest tributaries have cut down to nearly an equal elevation as the valley floor.


Erosion continues to sculpt the canyon walls, creating natural arches and other rock formations. It is believed that there is another {{convert|1000|ft|m}} of vertical bedrock that the Virgin River can still erode. ], often caused by ice wedging into cracks in the canyon walls, is another force that widens the valley. The Navajo Sandstone formation is easily eroded and is known to be very porous. Unstable geology is prevalent throughout the canyon, and occasional rockslides have formed impounded lakes in the canyon, the most recent of which was roughly 4,000 years ago. Owing to the extreme depth of the canyon, there are many ] fed by the surrounding ], permitting water in the canyon to run year round.<ref>{{cite web Erosion continues to sculpt the canyon walls, creating natural arches and other rock formations. It is believed that there is another {{convert|1000|ft|m}} of vertical bedrock that the Virgin River can still erode. ], often caused by ice wedging into cracks in the canyon walls, is another force that widens the valley. The Navajo Sandstone formation is easily eroded and is known to be very porous. Unstable geology is prevalent throughout the canyon, and occasional rockslides have formed impounded lakes in the canyon, the most recent of which was roughly 4,000 years ago. Owing to the extreme depth of the canyon, there are many ] fed by the surrounding ], permitting water in the canyon to run year-round.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.zionnational-park.com/zgeology3.htm |url=http://www.zionnational-park.com/zgeology3.htm
|title=Zion Canyon Geology: Carving Zion Canyon |title=Zion Canyon Geology: Carving Zion Canyon
|publisher=zionnational-park.com |publisher=zionnational-park.com
⚫ |access-date=2009-11-03}}</ref><ref name="geology">{{cite book
|date=
⚫ |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref><ref name="geology">{{cite book
|last1=Harris |last1=Harris
|first1=Ann G. |first1=Ann G.
Line 65: Line 63:
|isbn=0-7872-9970-7}}</ref> |isbn=0-7872-9970-7}}</ref>


]s migrated from the lower Virgin River area in the late 1850s. One of the Mormon settlers, Isaac Behunin, is credited with naming the canyon. While admiring the canyon, Behunin reportedly stated, "A man can worship God among these great cathedrals as well as he can in any man-made church; this is Zion",<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2020 |title=Isaac Behunin |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=40465 |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=The Historical Marker Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Isaac Behunin Family (early settlers of Zion, Utah) |url=https://wchsutah.org/people/isaac-behunin.php |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=Washington County Historical Society}}</ref> though another wording is also reported.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hidden Meaning Behind the Zion Name |url=https://www.zionponderosa.com/blog/2014/06/the-hidden-meaning-behind-the-zion-name/#:~:text=The%20name%20Zion%20is%20often,the%20evils%20in%20the%20world. |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=Zion Ponderosa}}</ref> The term '']'' is found frequently throughout the Bible and can refer to both a literal and a figurative place. For many Christians, it represents a place appointed by God for peace, safety, and rest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucey |first=Candice |date=July 3, 2019 |title=What Is the Meaning of Zion in the Bible? |url=https://www.christianity.com/bible/what-is-the-meaning-of-zion-in-the-bible.html |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=Christianity,com}}</ref>
⚫ ]s migrated from the lower Virgin River area in the late 1850s. The canyon was named by settler Isaac Behunin, who named the canyon after a "place of peace" mentioned in&nbsp; of the Bible.{{clarify|date=April 2014}} Explorer ] is credited with the name ''Mukuntuweap'', supposedly the native name of the canyon. In 1909, the canyon was first declared a national monument, and in 1919 was declared a national park. The ], cutting through Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon, first opened in 1930.<ref name="geology"/>


⚫ Explorer ] is credited with the name ''Mukuntuweap'', supposedly the native name of the canyon. In 1909, the canyon was first declared a national monument, and in 1919 it was declared a national park. The ], cutting through Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon, first opened in 1930.<ref name="geology" />
⚫ ]

⚫ ]]]


==See also== ==See also==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category|Zion Canyon}} {{stack|{{commons category|Zion Canyon}}}}
*{{GNIS|1434527}} * {{GNIS|1434527|Zion Canyon}}



] ]

Latest revision as of 02:41, 3 December 2024

Canyon in Southwestern Utah US
Zion Canyon
Mukuntuweap
Zion Canyon from Angels Landing at sunset
Zion Canyon is located in UtahZion CanyonZion CanyonLocation in Utah
Floor elevation4,300 feet (1,300 m)
Geography
Coordinates37°09′54″N 113°00′43″W / 37.16500°N 113.01194°W / 37.16500; -113.01194 
RiversNorth Fork Virgin River

Zion Canyon (also called Little Zion, Mukuntuweap, Mu-Loon'-Tu-Weap, and Straight Cañon; weap is Paiute for canyon) is a deep and narrow gorge in southwestern Utah, United States, carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River. Nearly the entire canyon is located within the western half of Zion National Park.

Description

A side view of the canyon
The Zion Narrows
Large view of the canyon

The beginning of the canyon is usually delineated as the Temple of Sinawava, a vertical-walled natural amphitheater nearly 3,000 feet (910 m) deep. The canyon begins much further upstream, however, and runs southward about 16 miles (26 km) through the Narrows to reach the Temple, where a seasonal tributary of the North Fork plunges over a tall waterfall during spring runoff and after heavy rain. The gorge then runs southwest through the national park, approaching 2,000 feet (610 m) deep in places. While the canyon rim is dominated by desert, the canyon floor supports a forest and riparian zone watered by the North Fork Virgin River. The gorge then merges with Pine Creek Canyon as it winds out of the national park and past the community of Springdale, Utah. The canyon's end is where it meets the Virgin River; some 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Lake Mead, into which the river ultimately flows.

Zion Canyon Drive and Zion-Mount Carmel Highway are the two major roads throughout the canyon. Zion Canyon Drive ends at the Temple of Sinawava, where the Riverside Walk trail follows the river upstream to the lower end of the Zion Narrows. Hiking trails further upstream descend into the Narrows, where the canyon floor is, on average 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. Hiking is permitted in the Narrows when water levels are low enough; however, flash floods are known to rise quickly following heavy rainstorms. Many areas in the drainage of Zion Canyon have little or no soil cover, contributing to extremely brief but heavy storm runoff. In contrast, the floor of most of the main Zion Canyon is close to 1,000 feet (300 m) wide and is rich with river-deposited sediments. Tributaries to the river within the canyon include Deep, Kolob, Goose, Pine, and Oak Creeks.

Geology and history

Zion Canyon viewed from a narrow point on the Angel's Landing trail, showing the immense vertical relief

Geologically Zion Canyon is part of the Navajo sandstone Colorado Plateau, which contained many joints and cracks when first uplifted, one of which was cut by the North Fork of the Virgin River to become Zion Canyon. The river was the largest force in cutting the canyon, mostly by flash floods, as the average flow of the river is very light. This relatively quick downcutting has left many seasonal tributaries with hanging valleys. Some of the largest tributaries have cut down to nearly an equal elevation as the valley floor.

Erosion continues to sculpt the canyon walls, creating natural arches and other rock formations. It is believed that there is another 1,000 feet (300 m) of vertical bedrock that the Virgin River can still erode. Mass wasting, often caused by ice wedging into cracks in the canyon walls, is another force that widens the valley. The Navajo Sandstone formation is easily eroded and is known to be very porous. Unstable geology is prevalent throughout the canyon, and occasional rockslides have formed impounded lakes in the canyon, the most recent of which was roughly 4,000 years ago. Owing to the extreme depth of the canyon, there are many springs fed by the surrounding groundwater, permitting water in the canyon to run year-round.

Mormons migrated from the lower Virgin River area in the late 1850s. One of the Mormon settlers, Isaac Behunin, is credited with naming the canyon. While admiring the canyon, Behunin reportedly stated, "A man can worship God among these great cathedrals as well as he can in any man-made church; this is Zion", though another wording is also reported. The term Zion is found frequently throughout the Bible and can refer to both a literal and a figurative place. For many Christians, it represents a place appointed by God for peace, safety, and rest.

Explorer John Wesley Powell is credited with the name Mukuntuweap, supposedly the native name of the canyon. In 1909, the canyon was first declared a national monument, and in 1919 it was declared a national park. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, cutting through Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon, first opened in 1930.

Zion Canyon from the trail to Observation Point

See also

References

  1. "Zion National Park, Utah". U.S. National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  2. USGS Topo Maps for United States (Map). Cartography by United States Geological Survey. ACME Mapper. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  3. Zion National Park Maps (Map). Cartography by National Park Service. U.S. National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  4. "Zion National Park". zionnational-park.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  5. "Zion Canyon Geology: Carving Zion Canyon". zionnational-park.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  6. ^ Harris, Ann G.; Tuttle, Esther; Tuttle, Sherwood D. (2004). Geology of National Parks. Kendall Hunt. p. 31. ISBN 0-7872-9970-7.
  7. "Isaac Behunin". The Historical Marker Database. December 6, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  8. "The Isaac Behunin Family (early settlers of Zion, Utah)". Washington County Historical Society. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  9. "The Hidden Meaning Behind the Zion Name". Zion Ponderosa. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  10. Lucey, Candice (July 3, 2019). "What Is the Meaning of Zion in the Bible?". Christianity,com. Retrieved April 6, 2023.

External links

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