The intensity of the colors as the light shifts is really quite something.
Uplift associated with mountain formation later moved these sediments thousands of feet upward and created the Colorado Plateau. The higher elevation has also resulted in greater precipitation in the Colorado River drainage area, but not enough to change the Grand Canyon area from being semi-arid.[17] The uplift of the Colorado Plateau is uneven, and the Kaibab Plateau that the Grand Canyon bisects is over one thousand feet (300 m) higher at the North Rim than at the South Rim. Almost all runoff from the North Rim (which also gets more rain and snow) flows toward the Grand Canyon, while much of the runoff on the plateau behind the South Rim flows away from the canyon (following the general tilt).[7] The result is deeper and longer tributary washes and canyons on the north side and shorter and steeper side canyons on the south side.[6]: 406 (wikipedia)
With more direct light, we can see that not all colors are saturated reds and yellows. There is not clearly a greyish layer to be seen along with green tints from vegetation.
In a 2008 study, Victor Polyak examined caves near the Grand Canyon and placed their origins about 17 million years ago. The study, which was published in the journal Science in 2008, used uranium-lead dating to analyze calcite deposits found on the walls of nine caves throughout the canyon.[23][24][25]
The deep reds and yellow begin to glow in the morning sun.
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