Spectacular Arizona Canyon Possesses Indigenous and Geologic History

TUBA CITY, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Layers of ancient rock strata are exposed in the Coal Mine Canyon area between the Navajo and Hopi Nations on August 15, 2024 near Tuba City, Arizona. The canyon system, called Honoo Jí by the local people, was renamed Coal Mine Canyon in modern times for its discontinued coal mining operations. During the Long Walk in 1864, thousands of Diné (Navajo) people were removed from their homes by the US Army to go on a 350 mile forced march to Bosque Redondo in central New Mexico to move them farther away from foreign settlers and solve the so-called "Indian problem". Hundreds of Diné died along the way and those who could not keep up were shot. To avoid capture, many people hid out in the recesses of the canyons. The general region is also known for its fossils and dinosaur tracks. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)