Lyell Butte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lyell Butte |
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Lyell Butte, south aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,362 ft (1,634 m) |
| Prominence | 502 ft (153 m) |
| Isolation | 1.55 mi (2.49 km) |
| Parent peak | Newton Butte (5,940 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Charles Lyell |
| Geography | |
 Lyell Butte
Location in Arizona
Lyell Butte
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand Canyon National Park Coconino County, Arizona, US |
| Parent range | Coconino Plateau Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Phantom Ranch |
| Type of rock | sandstone, limestone, shale |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1970 |
| Easiest route | class 4 climbing |
Lyell Butte is a mountain peak located in the amazing Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. It stands about 5,362 feet (1,634 meters) tall. This impressive summit is found in Coconino County, in the northern part of the state.
Lyell Butte is about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Grand Canyon Village, a popular spot for visitors. It sits just east of Shoshone Point and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southeast of Newton Butte, which is a taller peak nearby. Lyell Butte rises dramatically, about 2,800 feet (853 meters) above the Colorado River in a short distance. You can reach its base by following the Tonto Trail. The area has a cold semi-arid climate, meaning it's generally dry and cool. Rainwater from the butte flows northeast into the Colorado River through Grapevine and Boulder Creeks.
History of Lyell Butte
Lyell Butte was named in 1906 after Sir Charles Lyell. He was a very important Scottish geologist who lived from 1797 to 1875. Geologists study the Earth's rocks and how they were formed. Sir Charles Lyell is famous for writing a book called Principles of Geology. This book helped people understand that the Earth has changed slowly over a very long time.
The name for Lyell Butte was officially approved in 1906 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. This board is in charge of naming places in the United States. The very first ascent (first time someone climbed to the top) of Lyell Butte happened on January 24, 1970. A climber named Alan Doty made it to the summit by using a route on the peak's northwest side.
Geology of Lyell Butte
Lyell Butte is made up of different layers of rock. The main part of the butte is made of a type of rock called Redwall Limestone. This limestone formed during the Mississippian period, which was a very long time ago.
On top of the Redwall Limestone, there's a dome-shaped layer of rock from the Supai Group. This rock formed during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods. Below the Redwall Limestone, you would find older rocks from the Cambrian period, known as the Tonto Group. Even deeper, at the level of the Colorado River in a place called Granite Gorge, are the oldest rocks. These are called the Vishnu Basement Rocks and they formed during the Paleoproterozoic era.
