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Chapter 11: Problem 65

(a) The Grand Canyon in Arizona was formed over 15 to 20 million years by the flowing waters of the Colorado River, as well as by rain and wind. Contrast this formation scenario to that of Valles Marineris on Mars. (b) Valles Marineris is sometimes called "the Grand Canyon of Mars." Is this an appropriate description? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
While both the Grand Canyon and Valles Marineris are significant geological features, they were formed through different processes - river erosion for the Grand Canyon and likely rift-faulting for Valles Marineris. Calling Valles Marineris 'the Grand Canyon of Mars' may be a bit misleading because it suggests similarity in formation mechanisms, which is not the case. This label is probably more related to their superficial similarities than their formation.

Step by step solution

01

Research the geological formation of the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon was primarily formed through the erosional processes of the Colorado River. Other factors contributing to its formation include rain, wind, and the movement of tectonic plates. It is crucial to note these aspects of its formation, so we have a basis for comparison.
02

Research the geological formation of Valles Marineris

Unlike the Grand Canyon, Valles Marineris was not formed through river erosion but likely through rift-faulting. It is believed that the crust of Mars was split open due to volcanic activity and tectonic processes, forming this massive canyon system.
03

Comparison of the two canyons

The formation of both these canyons involved different geological processes: river erosion and tectonic activity for the Grand Canyon and likely rift-faulting for Valles Marineris. Despite these differences, both canyons share the characteristic of being significant topographical features on their respective planets.
04

Evaluate the comparison of the two canyons

While both are impressive geological features, it might be misleading to call Valles Marineris 'the Grand Canyon of Mars.' They formed from different processes, with Valles Marineris resulting from the splitting of the Martian crust, unlike the Grand Canyon, which was gradually carved by a river. However, this designation likely comes from their similar appearance rather than identical formation processes.

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