Antelope Canyon
| Antelope Canyon | |
|---|---|
| Tsé bighánílíní dóó Hazdistazí (Navajo) | |
A beam of light in Upper Antelope Canyon
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| Floor elevation | 3,704 ft (1,129 m) |
| Long-axis length | Upper Antelope Canyon: about 660 feet (200 m) Lower Antelope Canyon: about 1,335 feet (407 m) |
| Depth | about 120 feet (37 m) |
| Geology | |
| Type | Sandstone slot canyon |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 36°57′10″N 111°26′29″W / 36.9527664°N 111.4412683°WCoordinates: 36°57′10″N 111°26′29″W / 36.9527664°N 111.4412683°W |
| Topo map | USGS Page |
| Population centers | Page |
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as "Upper Antelope Canyon" or "The Crack"; and "Antelope Canyon" or "The Corkscrew".
The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tsé bighánílíní, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí (advertised as "Hasdestwazi" by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or "spiral rock arches." Both are located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic 'flowing' shapes in the rock.
Flooding in the canyon still occurs. A flood occurred on October 30, 2006, that lasted 36 hours, and caused the Tribal Park Authorities to close Lower Antelope Canyon for five months.
Antelope Canyon is a popular location for photographers and sightseers, and a source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation. Private tour companies have been permitted to offer tours since 1987. It has been accessible by tour only since 1997, when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park. Photography within the canyons is difficult due to the wide exposure range (often 10 EV or more) made by light reflecting off the canyon walls.
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Wikipedia