Copper Canyon — Barrancas del Cobre Aerial Scale
849.00 د.إ
The Copper Canyon system of Chihuahua photographed from 800 metres — the six interconnected canyon systems visible simultaneously, the canyon depths exceeding 1,800 metres, the canyon walls showing the copper oxide mineralisation that names the region.
Description
The Barrancas del Cobre canyon system in Chihuahua is deeper and more extensive than the Grand Canyon in many comparisons, yet less internationally known — the aerial perspective at 800 metres is the only means of comprehending the full system’s scale and interconnection. This photograph captures three of the six major canyon
systems in a single frame: the depth of the canyon floors, 1,800 metres below the rim, is communicated by the scale of the
vegetation — what appears as moss-like fine texture on the canyon walls resolves at inspection into mature pine forest. The
copper oxide mineralisation that gives the canyon its name creates green and turquoise staining visible on the upper
canyon walls. The Tarahumara settlements visible as occasional structures on the canyon rim provide human scale
reference. The Rio Urique, visible as a silver thread at the canyon floor, is over 1km below the vantage point.
