This Sacred Canyon Is Alive. And It's Changing Shape

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Antelope Canyon might be the most visited and photographed slot canyon in the world, but there is more to this ancient sandstone structure than meets the eye. Formed millions of years ago, and revered as a spiritual site for the Navajo Nation, the origins of this geologic wonder are as fascinating as its beauty is renowned. Existing in a perpetual state of flux, Antelope Canyon is constantly being altered by relentless forces of nature - what does it mean to preserve something that is defined by it's impermanence?
Untold Earth explores the seeming impossibilities behind our planet’s strangest, most unique natural wonders. From fragile, untouched ecosystems to familiar but unexplained occurrences in our own backyard, this series chases insight into natural phenomena through the voices that know them best.
Untold Earth is produced in partnership with Atlas Obscura and Nature.
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[@naturepbs]

You're telling us an antelope built this canyon?! (Thanks for watching, everyone, and Happy Earth Week!)

[@vesawuoristo4162]

I am not sure how to take this question.

[@austinmitchell2652]

I always appreciate when these videos highlight the indigenous perspectives! Thank you to everyone who helped make this one happen.

[@Jennifer83881]

Yes, I agree 💯 ☺️

[@Mesoblunt]

This place is so magical. I wish everyone to experience it at least once. It's like visit what i would image another world. Pictures do not do justice to how it looks and feels, in person.

[@Pbav8tor]

I visited as a child. We often lived in western deserts, and the flash floods always terrified us. When you see those black clouds forming you need to get out of the canyons and dry-washes. It doesn't always flood, but they are violent.

[@Jennifer83881]

I grew up in the south west. I remember the majestic thunderstorms. It was so hot & dry all year, but when the monsoon arrived. Oh, it was so beautiful & refreshing. To this day, I absolutely love rain & thunderstorms 💕 Better than a snow day imo ☺️

[@SpottedHares]

For reference that bolder at 0:50 is no longer there.

[@aaronsmicrobes8992]

Got to go here 2 years ago, it was an amazing experience. I'm not religious, but I felt like I was having a spiritual experience while walking through this canyon. I highly recommend going if you get the chance, it's worth the price of admission.

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

The slot canyons are absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely a must for anyone that enjoys backpacking. But be careful, people who get caught in them during a flashflood don't stand a chance.

[@ImZa1no]

​@@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88no backpacks allowed

[@Joe-sg9ll]

I was offended by how much they were charging. I did a big tour of several national parks and was told these fees would be illegal if it weren't on a reservation

[@patriciaa.tudosa2838]

I yearn to live in a world where the Indigenous connection to the Earth is the norm. Beautiful.

[@Jennifer83881]

Agreed ☺️

[@charadreemurr1083]

this kind of landscape is essentially what would be at the bottom of the strid. its effectively a permanent version of the same type of water flow dynamics we see here in antelope canyon. the only reason this place isnt a death trap is due to the seasonality of the flows

[@dj33036]

It has been a death trap in the past. People have died there.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

That’s one of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth.❤️🤗🐝

[@teaganwhipple3130]

wow what a knowledgeable personable professor. would love to take a geology class from him

[@kevinclws]

My amazing tour through here was almost canceled, as no tours when any chance of a flash flood through the canyon. The guide was awesome and knew all the best photo spots to catch sunlight reflecting from the surface down to the floor where we walked through it and back to the bus

[@dank3151]

I saw a video about a river in Europe that traveled through an area called The Strid and I wonder if it looks similar to this under the water.

[@merlapittman5034]

Forget churches, temples, and cathedrals. This is where you feel closest to your God

[@Chris-re3xr]

Yes

[@ronkirk5099]

Keep in mind that slot canyons can be VERY dangerous places to visit especially during the 'monsoon' season when distant T-storms can cause flash flooding. BE SAFE!

[@vinamacias7546]

great video, happy Earth month!

[@Jennifer83881]

Love this 💕 And how indigenous people's teachings & beliefs are interwoven. Thank you so much for sharing all your well rounded knowledge PBS Terra 💕 It's all connected 😉

[@indiealaska]

Thanks for the shout-out! We learned so much from this video 😲

[@orlandobaldivino9562]

There was a time about 20 years ago on a January day Evelyn and I and a guide had this place to ourselves.

[@pinkish1052]

Huwaaa a new pbs tera vid just dropped?! :0

[@jul1440]

There are a ton of these in the US state of New Mexico, including ones carved from white volcanic tuff, such as the Kasha-Katuwe slot canyon.

[@yellowflowerorangeflower5706]

Cool

[@bertkreft9689]

thank you 🙏 leading us to that holy place ❤

[@dj33036]

The ground you are standing on right now is just as holy.

[@leongliyang6946]

a coyote and a roadrunner running around pulling fancy gadgets ,and meep ! meep !

[@bobvail1000]

Every inch of earth is constantly being changed by erosion and deposition, not just this slot canyon.

[@kananaskiscountry8191]

there is the similar tunnels over seas where there is similar forces that the water has be made in the land where the Indiana Jones movie took place = shoot i forget the name of it. it is a world known canyon around Isreal i think

[@kjw79]

Petra

[@kananaskiscountry8191]

@@kjw79 Thank u 🦜👍🏼

[@ronburgendy6999]

I went during the season when it was full of caterpillars. Lol I went before ig existed not even a myspace. 🤔 Cool area!

[@ESL-O.G.]

I don't see any antelope

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

The name supposedly comes from how they would hunt the antelope. The Native Americans would chase the antelope across the mesa above the canyon and the ones that fell in would become dinner.

[@raphlvlogs271]

is the slot canyon a type of Wadi?

[@pauldickman4379]

Googling says yes, definiton of Wadi is a valley, ravine, or channel that is dry except in the rainy season.

[@thetommantom]

It looks looks a drop of paint in the water how it shows 2 different speeds not yin and yang or a recycle sign but almost like a bullet explosion or antelope horns that swirl both ways

[@Joe-sg9ll]

unfortunately they charge obnoxious fees to access the canyons that are only legal because it's on a reservation

[@Jennifer83881]

The fees are put to good use cleaning up after all the litter, graffiti & other disrespectful behavior, I'm sure. And hopefully filters out the more disrespectful crowd.

[@Joe-sg9ll]

@@Jennifer83881 they're in the middle of nowhere. only one way in and they charge a fortune. no litter upkeep or graffiti. just guarding a natural feature

[@lauraw.7008]

@Joe-sh9ll What ​@@Jennifer83881 said; also what may seem “obnoxious” to you may be building sustainability & regeneration to the communities who care for the place.

[@largo8013]

Undulating

[@patrick247two]

Apply Kragle.

[@knightshade6232]

Why its called antelope

[@SpottedHares]

Their used to be Prong Horned Antelope throughout the area, but once they were driven out by the people living there due to competition with their heard. If you lucky you can see them south in the Coconino forest.

[@melaniespencer3095]

No more Antelope due to climate change, but there are deer and elk in those canyons.

[@ImZa1no]

I was just there and I can confirm this thumbnail is still up to date.

[@GGoAwayy]

So thats why all my graffiti keeps disappearing!

[@TheyCallMeNewb]

The wise part in all of us exhorts that what are reducible to coping mechanisms, not be shoehorned into science. Superstitions always tempt with their superficiality, cognitive fluency, and ease of answers. Anathema to science on all counts.

[@guyman1570]

Y'all okay? 😂

[@G._-]

Had to stop watching due to the loud orchestra modulating with the lower voices.

[@ClipsNSnips]

These guys are charging $50 per person to visit this place. Thats $200 for a family of four. Considering that a National Park is usually only $25 for the entire car group, I'd say that price blows.... We drove up to Page but just walked away when the told us the price... They're just sitting out there in the desert under a canvas roof with a huge pile of money sitting on a folding table. They're also charging a fee to see Horseshoe Bend which should be free because it's part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. They own the sliver of land between the road and the river, so you can only access it through their parking area. If you try to park on the road and walk in you'll get fined. At least the parking is only $10... As far as I'm concerned, they're a bunch scoundrels. I've already been back to visit the Grand Canyon again, but I'll never go back to Page.

[@sarahs472]

Would you whine like this about paying to see the Taj Mahal? God forbid they actually get paid to take you into a sacred space and keeping you safe from flash floods. You can afford it, you probably live on land that was cultivated for 10,000 years by indigenous people, before they got marched at gunpoint into reservations.

[@ClipsNSnips]

@@sarahs472 I live in Malaysia. The Taj Mahal costs $15 to enter.

[@nnonotnow]

​​@@sarahs472if you live in North America, you live on land that was once inhabited by indigenous people. To use that analogy to describe someone complaining about the price of something seems to be a stretch.

[@Jennifer83881]

Can't blame them with all the vandalism, littering and disrespectful behavior going on. The money goes to a good cause and probably filters out the more disrespectful crowd. Well, hopefully.

[@user-fs8tl7ni1w]

Defund PBS. I’ll miss these shows-no doubt, but not the insane leftist, woke, socialist propaganda.

[@Jiddy12345]

The truth is not leftist...

[@user-fs8tl7ni1w]

@@Jiddy12345 Read the national article from the NPR journalist insider about the leftist rot at NPR. So much for diversity.

[@Jiddy12345]

@@user-fs8tl7ni1w No.

[@user-fs8tl7ni1w]

The Left is not truth.

[@Jiddy12345]

@@user-fs8tl7ni1w Bro, touch grass. I never said the left is the truth. You said the left is a lie. There's a stark difference... I pray you understand that things like critical race theory is just telling the truth. Like you do understand things like PBS started Sesame Street and its target audience was helping inner city Black kids, right?

[@guyman1570]

Cute video, but a shame that it's trying to push a belief system

[@Jiddy12345]

It's literally not...

[@dj33036]

@@Jiddy12345 It literally is.

[@Jiddy12345]

@@dj33036 ​​How? Cite your sources. It's a video giving you a different perspective of someone else's culture. You don't have to join. It's not forcing you to convert. It's giving you information about a culture you probably know nothing about. I have no idea why people like you and other weird commenters here are so triggered by learning something new and are so terrified of someone else's truths and cultures...

[@dj33036]

@@Jiddy12345 You are assuming things about me you have no evidence of.

[@Jiddy12345]

@@dj33036 I mean it's pretty easy to when you agree with asinine statements...