Explore the geology of the Grand Canyon, without leaving the classroom!
Below is a conceptual 3D geological model of the Grand Canyon, created in Visible Geology, our free web application for teaching and exploring geological concepts. To explore this model, you can:
- View the model on this webpage. Using your mouse you can view different orientations, zoom in and out, and view the cross-section and core-sample.
- Or you can view, edit, and interrogate the model by importing it into Visible Geology using this share code: Project-czePNJ8H76kPYJhiwCqzBZ
In the newly released Visible Geology, you can now save and share your geological models and stereonets for others to view, edit, and explore. This, along with the ability to create groups and assignments, will be particularly useful for earth science educators creating lessons for their students.
To get you started, we’ve created a range of pre-built models. To import a model, simply click ‘Input via code’ on the main screen of Visible Geology, and copy and paste the applicable code from the tables below. You can also join our shared group in Visible Geology to view read-only versions of this model using the group code: Group-R24hJMtkrUkPAeqjtqzEb8
Please note: To access these models and join groups, you need to be logged in. Logging in is simple and free, simply click ‘Create Seequent ID’ in the top right corner. For step-by-step instructions on how to import shared models, and how to create and join groups, check out the how-to videos on our Visible Geology Help and Resources page.
Access activities for students designed by the American Geoscience Institute
Download AGI Earth Science Week lesson plansFold Models
| MODEL | CODE | DESCRIPTION |
| West-East plunging anticline fold | Project-9vXer78wEe3cGEC3Hq9S3z | Accompanying stereonet to show fold hinge: Project-3qtWBMGLr8iBodwSzqSpSh |
| West-East plunging syncline fold | Project-DvTcaszLSR6LDQg4VpPjWn | Accompanying stereonet to show fold hinge: Project-8cfBeqQLsHAD8pnu9kiJmW |
| Asymmetric fold | Project-AXZULgm34z4KhCgX8DHEwe | Where one limb is longer than the other |
Fault Models
| MODEL | CODE | DESCRIPTION |
| Normal (dip-slip) Fault | Project-apNocvrr7PwthFXQFx9xBX | |
| Thrust Fault | Project-XKX6f7oa3eiqjMepHhNW4L | |
| Sinistral Strike-Slip Fault | Project-k6rcAJNLGDDaGQ6B3dvvDy | Standing on the fault block to the west, movement along the strike is to the left forming a sinistral strike slip fault. |
| Dextral Strike-Slip Fault | Project-9ihnkrCRogE4qfh7c36Z6b | Standing on the fault block to the west, movement along the strike is to the right forming a dextral strike slip fault. |
Unconformity Models
| MODEL | CODE | DESCRIPTION |
| Angular Unconformity | Project-AxbCUxP7bvaRhbdMs7zKDx | |
| Nonconformity | Project-ahmymSD5DPYdAktkwzLCo9 | Basement of gneiss, pegmatite, migmatite and schist. Younger layers of diatomite, mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate. Could also be used to demonstrate sea level rise/incursion. |
Lesson Models
| MODEL | CODE | DESCRIPTION |
| Rule of the V’s 1 | Project-5R28srXpUkudnHLD299aRQ | Dipping beds in valley. Simple principle |
| Rule of the V’s 2 | Project-TfzBFpyNZMhziwWLtFuovY | Contours of a sloping valley will point in the opposite to the down dip direction of the beds. The V patterns are opposing. |
| Rule of the V’s 3 | Project-VsQfoaG2JL47iQnZg4KgAX | Contours of the sloping valley will point in the same direction of the bedding dip when the beds dip “into” the valley. |
| Rule of the V’s 4 | Project-639Zeee69ayb2M5FB2owyK | Horizontal beds with a cross cutting dipping vein shows the behaviour as dipping beds, i.e. the pointy end of the vein points in the down dip direction. |
| Magma Chamber & Feeders | Project-3piCNsV84YtxEEmpfakJTG | Using tilt and plutons, build a model to show magma chamber, feeder dykes, and extrusive lava flows. |
Real-world Proxy Models
| MODEL | CODE | DESCRIPTION |
| Telheiro Angular Unconformity (Portugal) | Project-LxNGBDR2ZBZgYttPuPjhv8 | Using the flexibility of Visible Geology’s features to build a proxy of this field site in Portugal. See this link for more details. |
| Whakaraupo Harbour (Lyttelton, New Zealand) | Project-AJ9at3SKEpVMKfnmwC4UbT | |
| Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) | Project-czePNJ8H76kPYJhiwCqzBZ |