--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis…" description: "\"“Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis yesterday. But I only knew that by looking at a map. The entrance to the valley is wide enough that I couldn’t se..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/andy-weir-1865_quote_technically-i-entered-mawrth-vallis-yest_880631.jpg" --- # Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis yesterday. But I only… ![“Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis yesterday. But I only knew that by looking at a map. The entrance to the valley is wide enough that I couldn’t see the canyon walls in either direction. But now I’m definitely in a canyon. And the bottom is nice and flat. Exactly what I was hoping for. It’s…” quote by Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/andy-weir-1865_quote_technically-i-entered-mawrth-vallis-yest_880631.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/andy-weir-1865_quote_technically-i-entered-mawrth-vallis-yest_880631.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/andy-weir-1865_quote_technically-i-entered-mawrth-vallis-yest_880631.jpg) > ““Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis yesterday. But I only knew that by looking at a map. The entrance to the valley is wide enough that I couldn’t see the canyon walls in either direction. But now I’m definitely in a canyon. And the bottom is nice and flat. Exactly what I was hoping for. It’s amazing; this valley wasn’t made by a river slowly carving it away. It was made by a mega-flood in a single day. It would have been a hell of a thing to see.”” [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes exploring a canyon formed by a massive, single‑day flood, emphasizing its awe‑inspiring geology. **In simple terms:** Describing a dramatic, flood‑formed canyon. Key Takeaway Observe and learn from extraordinary natural events. Themes exploration geology wonder Mood curious marvelous Type scientific descriptive When to use this quote - field research - science fiction writing - education - geotourism Key Concepts planetary science catastrophic events Questions to Reflect On - What does this reveal about planetary history? - How can we protect similar sites? A Different Perspective Such events are rare and may be misinterpreted without context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Canyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canyon/) [Canyon Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canyon-walls-1049038/) [Definitely Canyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitely-canyon-1049036/) [Entered Mawrth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entered-mawrth-1049035/) [Valley Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valley-wasn-1049037/) ## Related quotes > [May your rivers flow without end... down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/may-your-rivers-flow-without-end-down-into-a-desert-of-red-rock-blue/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [At this sunset hour, the canyon walls are indescribably beautiful and I fear the magic of photography can never record what I see now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/at-this-sunset-hour-the-canyon-walls-are-indescribably-beautiful-and/) [Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/) > [“oh. she heard it too-no waters coursing, canyon empty, sun soundless- and the beast your life nowhere hiding (p. 103)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-blatner/oh-she-heard-it-too-no-waters-coursing-canyon-empty-sun-soundless-and/) [Barbara Blatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-blatner/) > [Well, once you've been in the Canyon and once you've sort of fallen in love with it, it never ends...it's always been a fascinating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/well-once-you-ve-been-in-the-canyon-and-once-you-ve-sort-of-fallen-in/) [Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/) > [The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-c-peattie/the-grand-canyon-is-carven-deep-by-the-master-hand-it-is-the-gulf-of/) [Donald C. Peattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-c-peattie/) > [I don't know why I just remembered this, and I haven't told anybody this, but we were shooting in Canyon de Chelly and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-badge-dale/i-don-t-know-why-i-just-remembered-this-and-i-haven-t-told-anybody/) [James Badge Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-badge-dale/) > [In my 30s, I wrote in the back house of a ramshackle Spanish Revival we rented across from the ocean in the Santa Monica…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-simpson/in-my-30s-i-wrote-in-the-back-house-of-a-ramshackle-spanish-revival/) [Mona Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-simpson/) > [“And out of nowhere, I think: So this is how it feels to stand at the edge of a canyon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-condie/and-out-of-nowhere-i-think-so-this-is-how-it-feels-to-stand-at-the/) [Ally Condie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-condie/) > [You can't say you're going to jump the Grand Canyon and then jump some other canyon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evel-knievel/you-can-t-say-you-re-going-to-jump-the-grand-canyon-and-then-jump/) [Evel Knievel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evel-knievel/) > [“If you have not touched the rocky wall of a canyon. If you have not heard a rushing river pound over cobblestones. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-rice/if-you-have-not-touched-the-rocky-wall-of-a-canyon-if-you-have-not/) [Daniel J. Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-rice/) > [“there is method at work here, method of a fanatic order and perseverance: each groove in the rock leads to a natural channel of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/there-is-method-at-work-here-method-of-a-fanatic-order-and/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [I work out at Runyon Canyon almost every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-donovan/i-work-out-at-runyon-canyon-almost-every-morning/) [Trevor Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-donovan/) > [A rill in a barnyard and the Grand Canyon represent, in the main, stages of valley erosion that began some millions of years apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/a-rill-in-a-barnyard-and-the-grand-canyon-represent-in-the-main/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) > [The Grand Canyon is living evidence of the power of water over a period of time. The power may not manifest immediately. Water can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-grand-canyon-is-living-evidence-of-the-power-of-water-over-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [When you jump across a canyon, cautious small steps and vacillation won't work. Sometimes you just have to go for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/when-you-jump-across-a-canyon-cautious-small-steps-and-vacillation/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) ## More by Andy Weir > [“But seeing his status doesn’t help,” Mindy said. “It’s not like we can do anything about it if he falls behind. This is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/but-seeing-his-status-doesn-t-help-mindy-said-it-s-not-like-we-can-do/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“But no idiot-proofing can overcome a determined idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/but-no-idiot-proofing-can-overcome-a-determined-idiot/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“God damn it! I yelled to him. Will you stop wining about your problems during my murder!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/god-damn-it-i-yelled-to-him-will-you-stop-wining-about-your-problems/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“One thing I have in abundance here are bags. They're not much different than kitchen trash bags, though I'm sure they cost $50,000 because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/one-thing-i-have-in-abundance-here-are-bags-they-re-not-much/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“Fortunately, when you spend a lot of time in space, you learn how to shit in a bag.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/fortunately-when-you-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-space-you-learn-how-to/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/yes-of-course-duct-tape-works-in-a-near-vacuum-duct-tape-works/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“I’m leaving Mars today, one way or another. About fucking time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/i-m-leaving-mars-today-one-way-or-another-about-fucking-time/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. Don't wait for an inspired ending to come to mind. Work your way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/a-good-plan-today-is-better-than-a-perfect-plan-tomorrow-don-t-wait/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“Also, I have duct tape. Ordinary duct tape, like you buy at a hardware store. Turns out even NASA can’t improve on duct tape.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/also-i-have-duct-tape-ordinary-duct-tape-like-you-buy-at-a-hardware/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“Oh,” Lewis said, “well if you won’t let us then— Wait…wait a minute….I’m looking at my shoulder patch and it turns out I’m the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/oh-lewis-said-well-if-you-won-t-let-us-then-wait-wait-a-minute-i-m/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [Thanks to our modern era, facts are incredibly easy to come by. A few web searches for your subject matter, and you have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/thanks-to-our-modern-era-facts-are-incredibly-easy-to-come-by-a-few/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [I started the day with some nothin’ tea. Nothin’ tea is easy to make. First, get some hot water, then add nothin’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/i-started-the-day-with-some-nothin-tea-nothin-tea-is-easy-to-make/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [Don't tell your stories to anyone. You'll be more motivated knowing it's a prerequisite to having an audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/don-t-tell-your-stories-to-anyone-you-ll-be-more-motivated-knowing-it/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“Travel’s a bitch. Even when it’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/travel-s-a-bitch-even-when-it-s-a-once-in-a-lifetime-vacation/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [“The overstimulated kids were literally bouncing off the walls. Lunar gravity is the worst thing to ever happen to parents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/the-overstimulated-kids-were-literally-bouncing-off-the-walls-lunar/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) [Explore all 198 Andy Weir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) ## More Canyon quotes > [When you jump across a canyon, cautious small steps and vacillation won't work. Sometimes you just have to go for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/when-you-jump-across-a-canyon-cautious-small-steps-and-vacillation/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [The Grand Canyon is living evidence of the power of water over a period of time. The power may not manifest immediately. Water can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-grand-canyon-is-living-evidence-of-the-power-of-water-over-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [A rill in a barnyard and the Grand Canyon represent, in the main, stages of valley erosion that began some millions of years apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/a-rill-in-a-barnyard-and-the-grand-canyon-represent-in-the-main/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) > [I work out at Runyon Canyon almost every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-donovan/i-work-out-at-runyon-canyon-almost-every-morning/) [Trevor Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-donovan/) > [“there is method at work here, method of a fanatic order and perseverance: each groove in the rock leads to a natural channel of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/there-is-method-at-work-here-method-of-a-fanatic-order-and/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“If you have not touched the rocky wall of a canyon. If you have not heard a rushing river pound over cobblestones. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-rice/if-you-have-not-touched-the-rocky-wall-of-a-canyon-if-you-have-not/) [Daniel J. Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-rice/) > [You can't say you're going to jump the Grand Canyon and then jump some other canyon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evel-knievel/you-can-t-say-you-re-going-to-jump-the-grand-canyon-and-then-jump/) [Evel Knievel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evel-knievel/) > [“And out of nowhere, I think: So this is how it feels to stand at the edge of a canyon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-condie/and-out-of-nowhere-i-think-so-this-is-how-it-feels-to-stand-at-the/) [Ally Condie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-condie/) > [In my 30s, I wrote in the back house of a ramshackle Spanish Revival we rented across from the ocean in the Santa Monica…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-simpson/in-my-30s-i-wrote-in-the-back-house-of-a-ramshackle-spanish-revival/) [Mona Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-simpson/) > [I don't know why I just remembered this, and I haven't told anybody this, but we were shooting in Canyon de Chelly and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-badge-dale/i-don-t-know-why-i-just-remembered-this-and-i-haven-t-told-anybody/) [James Badge Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-badge-dale/) > [The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-c-peattie/the-grand-canyon-is-carven-deep-by-the-master-hand-it-is-the-gulf-of/) [Donald C. Peattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-c-peattie/) > [Well, once you've been in the Canyon and once you've sort of fallen in love with it, it never ends...it's always been a fascinating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/well-once-you-ve-been-in-the-canyon-and-once-you-ve-sort-of-fallen-in/) [Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/) > [“oh. she heard it too-no waters coursing, canyon empty, sun soundless- and the beast your life nowhere hiding (p. 103)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-blatner/oh-she-heard-it-too-no-waters-coursing-canyon-empty-sun-soundless-and/) [Barbara Blatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-blatner/) > [I take my dog, Fideo, out for a hike in Runyon Canyon three times a week. It's about 45 minutes round-trip with a variation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-ortiz/i-take-my-dog-fideo-out-for-a-hike-in-runyon-canyon-three-times-a/) [Ana Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-ortiz/) > [With what you don't know about me, I could just about fill the Grand Canyon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-smith/with-what-you-don-t-know-about-me-i-could-just-about-fill-the-grand/) [Kevin Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-smith/) [Browse all 78 Canyon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canyon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Technically, I entered Mawrth Vallis yesterday. But I only knew that by looking at a map. The entrance to the valley is wide enough that I couldn’t see the canyon walls in either direction. But now I’m definitely in a canyon. And the bottom is nice and flat. Exactly what I was hoping for. 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