Summary:
- The Colorado River, a major waterway in the western United States, disappeared from the geological record for 5 million years. Scientists have now discovered where the river went during this time.
- Researchers used a combination of geological evidence and computer modeling to determine that the Colorado River was diverted underground, flowing through a series of caves and sinkholes, before eventually re-emerging and resuming its surface flow.
- This discovery sheds light on the dynamic nature of the Earth's landscape and the complex processes that shape river systems over long timescales. It also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the history and evolution of our planet.