If you’re having a day, just remember a river carved the Grand Canyon because it was stubborn and had time. You’ve got this. The Grand Canyon was primarily carved by the Colorado River, and its countless tributaries, over millions of years through relentless erosion. As the Colorado Plateau rose due to tectonic forces, the river cut downward into the uplifting rock layers, removing immense volumes of material and exposing Earth’s geologic history. This powerful combination of uplift and erosion has created one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring and iconic landscapes. Images: Views of grandcanyonnps and the Colorado River.