A younger, smaller version of Arizona’s monstrous Grand Canyon, Kauai's
Waimea Canyon amazes every visitor who experiences this natural formation. Over one mile long and 14 miles wide—and over 3,600 feet deep—the
Waimea Canyon is an oddity in itself. (Don't confuse it with the
Waimea Bay and
Waimea Valley on Oahu). Behold the beauty of crested buttes, deep valley gorges, rustic ridges and massive boulders. (Photo: keepitsurreal on Flickr)
History
Why would there be such a massive canyon in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Mount Waialaeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth, sent extreme rainfall down its slope and formed a deep incision of the Waimea River, carving out the
Waimea Canyon.