Moran Canyon (Wyoming) facts for kids
- This is about the canyon in Wyoming, United States. For the canyon on the Fraser River, in British Columbia, Canada, see Moran, British Columbia.
Quick facts for kids Moran Canyon |
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Mount Moran at center with Moran Canyon to the right
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| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Teton |
| Lake | Jackson Lake |
Moran Canyon is a cool natural valley found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, a state in the United States. It's a really interesting place to explore!
Exploring Moran Canyon
Moran Canyon is a deep, narrow valley. It sits between some big mountains. To the south, you'll find Mount Moran. To the north, there are Traverse Peak and Bivouac Peak. These tall peaks make the canyon feel even more grand.
Where is Moran Canyon Located?
This amazing canyon is part of Grand Teton National Park. This park is famous for its stunning mountains and clear lakes. Moran Canyon is in Teton County, which is in the western part of Wyoming.
How Moran Canyon Was Formed
Moran Canyon wasn't always here. It was carved out by giant sheets of ice called glaciers. Imagine huge rivers of ice slowly moving across the land. As they moved, they scraped away rock and dirt. This process took a very long time.
- Ice Age Power: The glaciers that formed Moran Canyon were active during the last glacial maximum. This was a time about 15,000 years ago when much of the Earth was covered in ice.
- Melting Away: When the climate warmed, these massive glaciers started to melt and shrink. As they retreated, they left behind the deep, U-shaped valley we now call Moran Canyon.
- Jackson Lake Connection: At the eastern end of the canyon, you'll find Moran Bay. This bay is part of Jackson Lake. The lake itself was also shaped by these ancient glaciers.
