Final answer:
The Black Canyon's location and formation are influenced by the geological activity of the West Elk and San Juan Mountain Volcanic Fields, including tectonic movements and volcanic events. The steepness and composition of the canyon walls are results of the extreme pressures and temperatures the Precambrian rocks have been exposed to, as well as erosion and mass wasting events that followed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Black Canyon is influenced by the nearby West Elk and San Juan Mountain Volcanic Fields due to the tectonic and volcanic history of the region. These volcanic fields have helped shape the topography and geology of the area, leading to the formation of the canyon's notoriously steep and rugged terrain. The Gunnison River, which carved out the Black Canyon, cuts through Precambrian gneiss and schist, rocks that were once under extreme pressure and temperature beneath the Earth's surface. Moreover, the folding of these metamorphic rocks is a feature that can be observed in the canyon walls, showing alternating light and dark bands that signify their intense geologic history.
Factors such as mass wasting and erosion have played roles in sculpting the landscape post-volcanic activity. In the broader context of canyon formation, tectonic cracks and later erosion by elements like water and wind have contributed to the development of the unique canyon features we observe in places like the Valles Marineris on Mars and Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Mass wasting in particular, after events like forest fires, can leave canyons more susceptible to landslides during heavy precipitation, a concern for areas like the Black Canyon.