Final answer:
Evidence supporting the idea that the area around the Grand Canyon was once covered by an ocean includes fossils of sea life found on land and analysis of rock layers that suggest a history of ocean coverage and sedimentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientists claim that the area around the Grand Canyon was once covered by an ocean, and there are several pieces of evidence that support this idea. One of the key pieces of evidence is the presence of fossils of ancient sea life far from current oceans, indicating that these areas were once beneath the sea. Additionally, the analysis of rock layers, or stratigraphy, in the Grand Canyon reveals a history of sedimentation that is consistent with marine environments. The stratigraphic record shows almost continuous sedimentation with some gaps, recording a wide range of geologic ages from the Early Proterozoic to the Holocene. Moreover, the discovery of sedimentary rocks containing minerals that form in watery conditions, such as hematite, supports the hypothesis of past water coverage. Understanding the geological history and processes, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and erosion, also contributes to this conclusion, demonstrating the significant changes Earth has undergone over millions of years.