Annular solar eclipse at Horseshoe Bend

The image above captures the remarkable experience of viewing the annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012 at Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River in Northern Arizona. Horseshoe Bend is a looping meander entrenched into the bedrock. Like all such meanders, this one formed when the underlying land was uplifted by tectonic forces. The uplifting acted to bring new life to the Colorado River, providing added power to cut through the Jurassic sandstone. An additional bit of fun in this image is the hundreds of photographers all taking in both the eclipse and the extraordinary view. They can be seen (center right and left) lining the canyon rim, with a 1,000 ft (305 m) drop to the Colorado River below. For more about this eclipse see the Earth Science Picture of the Day for May 20, 2012.

Photographer: Clinton Melander; Clint’s Web site
Summary Author:  Clinton Melander