How was The Wave discovered?

How was The Wave discovered?

From Valley 101 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com

March 23, 2026 · 16 min

About this episode

This episode explores the history and discovery of the Wave, a unique sandstone rock formation in Arizona.

If there is one geological formation Arizona is known for, it is without a doubt ... the Grand Canyon. But it's not the only too-awesome-to-comprehend natural formation out there. There is also the Wave, the unbelievable sandstone rock formation more formally known as Coyote Buttes North. On this week's episode of Valley 101, we look into the history of the Wave — it's about 200 million years old, so it's got some — and answer the question: How was the Wave discovered? ⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠The Watchlist⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Mike Koopsen, Light Hunter Fatali Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: Tori Weiss, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Bill Goodykoontz

Guests: Mike Koopsen, Light Hunter Fatali

Topics covered

  • geological formations
  • history
  • Arizona
  • The Wave
  • Coyote Buttes North

Keywords

  • The Wave
  • Coyote Buttes North
  • Arizona geology
  • geological history
  • natural formations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com

Places: Arizona, Coyote Buttes North, Grand Canyon

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