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Canyon

A canyon or gorge is a deep sonoma often carved from the Earth by a river. Most canyons originate by a process of long-time erosion Erosion

Erosion is the displacement of solids by the agents of wind, water or ice, by downward or down-slope mo... 

 from a plateau Plateau

[i] [i] [i] ... 

 level, with a new born place in happiness out its valley. The cliffs form because harder rock strata that are resistant to erosion and weathering remain exposed on the valley walls. Canyons are much more common in arid areas than in wetter areas because weathering has a lesser effect in arid zones. Canyons' walls are often formed of resistant sandstone Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed mainly of sand [i]-size mineral [i] or rock grains [i] ... 

s or granite Granite

Granite is a common and widely-occurring type of intrusive [i], felsic [i], igneous [i] ... 

. Submarine canyons are those which form underwater, generally at the mouths of rivers.

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A canyon or gorge is a deep sonoma often carved from the Earth by a river. Most canyons originate by a process of long-time erosion Erosion

Erosion is the displacement of solids by the agents of wind, water or ice, by downward or down-slope mo... 

 from a plateau Plateau

[i]
[i]
[i]
... 

 level, with a new born place in happiness out its valley. The cliffs form because harder rock strata that are resistant to erosion and weathering remain exposed on the valley walls. Canyons are much more common in arid areas than in wetter areas because weathering has a lesser effect in arid zones. Canyons' walls are often formed of resistant sandstone Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed mainly of sand [i]-size mineral [i] or rock grains [i] ... 

s or granite Granite

Granite is a common and widely-occurring type of intrusive [i], felsic [i], igneous [i] ... 

. Submarine canyons are those which form underwater, generally at the mouths of rivers. The word canyon is Spanish in origin . The word canyon is generally used in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

, while the word gorge is more common in Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

 and Australasia Australasia

Australasia is a term variably used to describe a region [i] of Oceania [i] namely Australia [i], New Zealand [i] ... 

, though it is also used in some parts of the United States and Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

. The rare word defile is occasionally used in England.

A famous example is the Grand Canyon Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a very colorful, steep-sided gorge [i], carved by the Colorado River [i], in the U.S. [i]... 

 in Arizona Arizona

Arizona is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southwestern United States [i]. ... 

. In the southwestern United States, canyons are important archeologically Archaeology

Archaeology, archeology, or archology is the study of human [i] culture [i]s through... 

 because of the many cliff-dwellings built there, largely by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples Ancient Pueblo Peoples

Ancient Pueblo People or Ancestral Puebloans are preferred terms for the cultural group of people ... 

.

Sometimes large rivers run through canyons as the result of gradual geologic uplift. These are called entrenched river Entrenched river

An entrenched river is a river that is confined to a canyon [i] or gorge [i], usually with a relatively ... 

s, because they are unable to easily alter course. The Colorado River Colorado River

The Colorado River is a river in the southwestern United States [i] and northwestern Mexico [i], approxi ... 

 and the Snake River Snake River

The Snake River is a river [i] in the western part of the United States [i]. ... 

 in the northwestern United States are two examples of this.

Canyons often form in areas of limestone Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed largely of the mineral [i] calcite [i] . ... 

 rock. Limestone is to a certain extent soluble, so cave Cave

A cave is a natural underground void large enough for an adult human to enter.... 

 systems form in the rock. When these collapse a canyon is left, for example in the Mendip Hills Mendip Hills

[i] and [[Bath]... 

 in Somerset Somerset

Somerset is a county [i] in the south-west of England [i]. ... 

 and Yorkshire Dales Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales are an area of high ground in North Yorkshire [i], West Yorkshire [i], and Cumbria [i] ... 

 in Yorkshire Yorkshire

Yorkshire is the largest historic county [i] of England [i] and Great Britain [i] ... 

, England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

.

Largest Canyons

  • Grand Canyon Grand Canyon

    The Grand Canyon is a very colorful, steep-sided gorge [i], carved by the Colorado River [i], in the U.S. [i]... 

     in Arizona Arizona

    Arizona is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southwestern United States [i]. ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

    , and the
  • Copper Canyon Copper Canyon

    The Copper Canyon is a canyon system in the Sierra Tarahumara [i] in the southwestern part of the state [i] ... 

     in Chihuahua Chihuahua

    Chihuahua is a state [i] in northwestern Mexico [i]. ... 

    , Mexico Mexico

    The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 




The definiation of "largest canyon" is rather imprecise, as a canyon can be "large" by its depth, length, or the total area of the canyon system. Also the inaccessibility of the major canyons in the Himalaya Himalayas

The Himalayas are a mountain range [i] in Asia [i], separating the Indian subcontinent [i] from the Tibetan Plateau [i] ... 

 contributes to the fact that they are not often known or regarded as candidates for the biggest canyon. The deepest canyon in the world, Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon

The Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon, or the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet [i] is the deepest, and possibly longest ... 

, along the Brahmaputra Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra is one of the major river [i]s of Asia [i].
... 

 in Tibet Tibet

Tibet is a region in Central Asia [i] and the home of the Tibetan people [i]. ... 

, China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

, even slightly longer than Grand Canyon, is also regarded by many as be the world's largest canyon, followed by the Kali Gandaki Canyon in Nepal Nepal

Nepal, officially Kingdom of Nepal, is a landlocked [i] Himalayan [i] country [i] in South Asia [i] ... 

, and Polung Tsangpo Canyon in Tibet.

Slot canyon Slot canyon

A slot canyon is a narrow canyon [i], formed by the wear of water rushing through sandstone [i].... 

s are very narrow canyons, often with smooth walls.

Well Known Canyons

  • Avon Gorge Avon Gorge

    The Avon Gorge is a 2.5km long gorge [i] on the River Avon [i] in Bristol [i], South West England [i] ... 

     in Bristol Bristol

    Bristol is a city [i], unitary authority [i] and ceremonial county [i] ... 

    , England England

    England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a United States National Park [i] located in western Colorado [i] ... 

    , Colorado Colorado

    Colorado is a state [i] in the western United States [i].... 

    , USA
  • Canyon Fortaleza in Cambará do Sul, Brazil Brazil

    Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

  • Cataract Gorge Cataract Gorge

    The Cataract Gorge Reserve is one of Launceston [i] and northern Tasmania [i]'s pre ... 

     in Launceston Launceston, Tasmania

    Launceston is a small city in the north of the state of Tasmania [i], Australia [i], population approxim ... 

    , Australia Australia

    Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

  • Cheddar Gorge Cheddar Gorge and Caves

    Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge [i] in the United Kingdom [i], near the village of Cheddar [i] in the ... 

     in Somerset Somerset

    Somerset is a county [i] in the south-west of England [i]. ... 

    , England England

    England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

  • Colca Canyon Colca Canyon

    Colca Canyon is the canyon [i] of the Colca River in southern Peru [i]. ... 

     along the Colca River in Peru Peru

    Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America [i], bordering Ecuador [i]... 

  • Columbia River Gorge Columbia River Gorge

    The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular canyon [i] of the Columbia River [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] ... 

     in the Pacific Northwest Pacific Northwest

    The Pacific Northwest in its broadest definition is an area that includes part of the west coast of United States [i] ... 

     of America
  • Fish River Canyon Fish River Canyon

    [i]

[i] ... 

 in Namibia Namibia

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in southern Africa [i] on the Atlantic [i] ... 


  • Glen Nevis Glen Nevis

    Glen Nevis is a beautiful and popular glen [i] in Lochaber [i], Highland [i], Scotland [i], with Fort William [i] ... 

     in Lochaber Lochaber

    colspan=2 align=center bgcolor="#9999ff">Lochaber District 1975-96

... 

, Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 


  • Grand Canyon du Verdon Verdon Gorge

    Verdon Gorge, in south-eastern France [i], is a river canyon [i] that is considered by many to be Europe [i] ... 

     in Provence Provence

    Provence is a former Roman province [i] and is now a region of southeastern France [i] ... 

    , France France

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

  • Gorges du Tarn in France France

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

  • Hells Canyon Hells Canyon

    Hells Canyon is a canyon [i] created by the Snake River [i]. ... 

     in Idaho Idaho

    Idaho is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

     and Oregon Oregon

    Oregon is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] region of the United States [i]. ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

  • Ironbridge Gorge Ironbridge Gorge

    The Ironbridge Gorge is a deep gorge [i] formed by the river Severn [i] in Shropshire [i], England [i].

... 

 in Shropshire Shropshire

Shropshire is a traditional [i], ceremonial and non-metropolitan county [i] ... 

, England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 


  • Itaimbezinho in Cambará do Sul, Brazil Brazil

    Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

  • Kloof Gorge Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal

    Kloof is a leafy, middle- [i] to upper class [i] suburb and small town, that includes a sma ... 

     in Kloof Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal

    Kloof is a leafy, middle- [i] to upper class [i] suburb and small town, that includes a sma ... 

    , South Africa South Africa

    The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the Africa [i]n continent [i]. ... 

  • Malacara in Praia Grande, Brazil Brazil

    Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country [i] ... 

  • Palo Duro Canyon Palo Duro Canyon

    Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon [i] system of the Caprock Escarpment [i] in the Panhandle [i] ... 

     in Texas Texas

    Texas is a state [i] in both the Southern [i] and Western [i] ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

  • Red River Gorge Red River Gorge

    The Red River Gorge is a canyon [i] system on the Red River [i] in east-central Kentucky [i]. ... 

     in Kentucky Kentucky

    The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i] ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

  • Royal Gorge Royal Gorge

    The Royal Gorge is a canyon [i] on the Arkansas River [i] near Caon City, Colorado [i]. ... 

     in Colorado Colorado

    Colorado is a state [i] in the western United States [i].... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

  • Tara River Canyon Tara River Canyon

    The Tara River Canyon, also known as the Tara River Gorge, is the deepest canyon in Montenegro [i] a... 

     in Montenegro Montenegro

    The Republic of Montenegro is a country [i] located in southeastern Europe [i]. ... 

  • Three Gorges Three Gorges

    The Three Gorges region is a scenic area along the Yangtze River [i] in China [i] with a total length of ... 

     in China China

    China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

  • Kings Canyon Kings Canyon National Park

    Kings Canyon National Park is a U.S. National Park [i] in the southern Sierra Nevada [i], ... 

     in California California

    California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

  • Vikos Gorge Vikos Gorge

    Sorry, no overview for this topic 

     in Greece Greece

    Greece

Greece lies at the juncture of Europe [i], Asia [i], and Africa [i]. ... 


  • Taroko Gorge Taroko National Park

    Taroko National Park is one of the six national parks [i] ... 

     in Taiwan Taiwan

    Taiwan is an island in East Asia [i], but the term "Taiwan" is also commonly used to collectively refer ... 




Other lesser-known canyon systems include:
  • Black Dragon Canyon in Utah Utah

    Utah is a U.S. state [i] located in the western [i] United States [i]. ... 

    , USA United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 




Other canyons in the Himalayas include:
  • Namjagbarwa Canyon in Tibet Tibet

    Tibet is a region in Central Asia [i] and the home of the Tibetan people [i]. ... 

    , China China

    China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 




The Blue Mountains Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains of New South Wales [i], Australia [i], are situated approximately 100 kilometres west ... 

 west of Sydney Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia [i] with a metropolitan area [i] population of over 4.2 m ... 

 in New South Wales New South Wales

New South Wales is Australia [i]'s most populous state [i], located ... 

, Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

 contain many canyons carved into the sandstone Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed mainly of sand [i]-size mineral [i] or rock grains [i] ... 

 rock.

Trivia

Despite its name, Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park [i] located in southwestern Utah [i] in the United States [i]... 

 is a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion.

See also

  • List of landforms Landform

    A landform comprises a geomorphological [i] unit. ... 

  • Geomorphology Geomorphology

    Geomorphology is the study of landforms [i], including their origin and evolution, and the processes tha ... 

  • Geology Geology

    Geology anetary geology]] [i] refers to the application of geologic principles to other bodies of the solar... 

  • Earth science Earth science

    Earth science , is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth [i]. ... 

  • Canyoning Canyoning

    Canyoning is travelling in canyon [i]s using a variety of techniques that may include walking [i], scrambling [i] ... 

  • Submarine canyon

External links