The Economic Times

In 1869, Civil War veteran John Wesley Powell and nine others entered the unmapped Grand Canyon. What they discovered transformed geology

John Wesley Powell led a daring expedition down the Colorado River in 1869. He navigated violent rapids and towering canyon walls, documenting geological formations. Powell's observations revealed the Grand Canyon's gradual formation over millions of years. His detailed scientific record laid the foundation for future geological studies. This exploration significantly advanced understanding of Earth's ancient history.