Canyon
Acanyon(fromSpanish:cañón;archaicBritish Englishspelling:cañon),[1]gorgeorchasm,is a deep cleft betweenescarpmentsorcliffsresulting fromweatheringand theerosiveactivity of a river overgeologic time scales.[2]Rivers have a natural tendency to cut through underlying surfaces, eventually wearing away rock layers assedimentsare removed downstream. Ariver bedwill gradually reach a baseline elevation, which is the same elevation as the body of water into which the river drains. The processes of weathering and erosion will form canyons when the river'sheadwatersandestuaryare at significantly different elevations,[3]particularly through regions where softer rock layers are intermingled with harder layers more resistant to weathering.
A canyon may also refer to a rift between two mountain peaks, such as those in ranges including theRocky Mountains,theAlps,theHimalayasor theAndes.Usually, a river or stream carves out such splits between mountains. Examples of mountain-type canyons areProvo Canyonin Utah orYosemite Valleyin California'sSierra Nevada.Canyons within mountains, or gorges that have an opening on only one side, are called box canyons.Slot canyonsare very narrow canyons that often have smooth walls.
Steep-sided valleys in theseabedof thecontinental slopeare referred to assubmarine canyons.Unlike canyons on land, submarine canyons are thought to be formed byturbidity currentsandlandslides.
Etymology
[edit]The wordcanyonis Spanish in origin (cañón,[4]pronounced[kaˈɲon]), with the same meaning. The word canyon is generally used inNorth America,while the wordsgorgeandravine(French in origin) are used inEuropeandOceania,thoughgorgeandravineare also used in some parts of North America. In theUnited States,place names generally usecanyonin the southwest (due to their proximity toSpanish-speaking Mexico) andgorgein the northeast (which is closer toFrench Canada), with the rest of the country graduating between these two according to geography. InCanada,agorgeis usually narrow while aravineis more open and often wooded. The military-derived worddefileis occasionally used in theUnited Kingdom.In South Africa,kloof(inKrantzkloof Nature Reserve) is used along withcanyon(as inBlyde River Canyon) andgorge(inOribi Gorge).[5]
Formation
[edit]Most canyons were formed by a process of long-timeerosionfrom aplateauor table-land level. Thecliffsform because harderrock stratathat areresistantto erosion and weathering remain exposed on the valley walls.
Canyons are much more common in arid areas than in wet areas because physical weathering has a more localized effect in arid zones. The wind and water from the river combine to erode and cut away less resistant materials such asshales.The freezing and expansion of water also serves to help form canyons. Water seeps into cracks between the rocks and freezes, pushing the rocks apart and eventually causing large chunks to break off the canyon walls, in a process known as frost wedging.[6]Canyon walls are often formed of resistantsandstonesorgranite.
Sometimes large rivers run through canyons as the result of gradual geological uplift. These are calledentrenched rivers,because they are unable to easily alter their course. In the United States, theColorado Riverin theSouthwestand theSnake Riverin theNorthwestare two examples oftectonic uplift.
Canyons often form in areas oflimestonerock. As limestone is soluble to a certain extent,cavesystems form in the rock. When a cave system collapses, a canyon is left, as in theMendip HillsinSomersetandYorkshire DalesinYorkshire,England.
Box canyon
[edit]Abox canyonis a small canyon that is generally shorter and narrower than a river canyon, with steep walls on three sides, allowing access and egress only through the mouth of the canyon. Box canyons were frequently used in thewestern United Statesas convenient corrals, with their entrances fenced.[7]
Largest
[edit]The definition of "largest canyon" is imprecise, because a canyon can be large by its depth, its length, or the total area of the canyon system. Also, the inaccessibility of the major canyons in theHimalayacontributes to their not being regarded as candidates for the biggest canyon. The definition of "deepest canyon" is similarly imprecise, especially if one includes mountain canyons, as well as canyons cut through relatively flatplateaus(which have a somewhat well-defined rim elevation).
TheYarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon(or Tsangpo Canyon), along theYarlung Tsangpo RiverinTibet,is regarded by some as the deepest canyon in the world at 5,500 metres (18,000 ft). It is slightly longer than theGrand Canyonin the United States.[8]Others consider theKali Gandaki Gorgein midwest Nepal to be the deepest canyon, with a 6,400-metre (21,000 ft) difference between the level of the river and the peaks surrounding it.[citation needed]
Vying for the deepest canyon in the Americas is theCotahuasi CanyonandColca Canyon,in southern Peru. Both have been measured at over 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) deep.
TheGrand Canyonof northernArizonain the United States, with an average depth of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) and a volume of 4.17 trillion cubic metres (147 trillion cubic feet),[9]is one of the world's largest canyons. It was among the 28 finalists of theNew 7 Wonders of Natureworldwide poll. (Some referred to it as one of theseven natural wonders of the world.)[10]
The largest canyon in Europe isTara River Canyon.
The largest canyon in Africa is theFish River CanyoninNamibia.[11]
In August 2013, the discovery ofGreenland'sGrand Canyonwas reported, based on the analysis of data fromOperation IceBridge.It is located under an ice sheet. At 750 kilometres (470 mi) long, it is believed to be the longest canyon in the world.[12]
Despite not being quite as deep or long as the Grand Canyon, theCapertee Valleyin Australia is actually 1 km wider than the Grand Canyon, making it the widest canyon in the world.[13][14]
Cultural significance
[edit]Some canyons have notable cultural significance. Evidence ofarchaic humanshas been discovered in Africa'sOlduvai Gorge.In the southwestern United States, canyons are importantarcheologicallybecause of the manycliff-dwellingsbuilt in such areas, largely by theancient Pueblo peoplewho were their first inhabitants.
Notable examples
[edit]The following list contains only the most notable canyons of the world, grouped by region.
Africa
[edit]Namibia
[edit]South Africa
[edit]Tanzania
[edit]Americas
[edit]Argentina
[edit]Brazil
[edit]Bolivia
[edit]Canada
[edit]- Grand Canyon of the Stikine,British Columbia
- Horseshoe Canyon,Alberta
- Niagara Gorge,Ontario
- Ouimet Canyon,Ontario
- Fraser Canyon,British Columbia
- Coaticook Gorge,Quebec
- Thompson Canyon, British Columbia
Colombia
[edit]Mexico
[edit]Peru
[edit]- Cañón del Pato,Ancash Region
- Colca Canyon,Arequipa Region
- Cotahuasi Canyon,Arequipa Region
United States
[edit]- American Fork Canyon,Utah
- Antelope Canyon,Arizona
- Apple River Canyon,Illinois
- Ausable Chasm,New York
- Big Cottonwood Canyon,Utah
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison,Colorado
- Black Hand Gorge,Ohio
- Blackwater Canyon,West Virginia
- Blue Creek Canyon,Colorado
- Bluejohn Canyon,Utah
- Box Canyon,Colorado
- Breaks Canyon,KentuckyandVirginia
- Butterfield Canyon,Utah
- Cane Creek,Alabama
- Canyon de Chelly,Arizona
- Canyonlands National Park,canyons of theColorado Riverand its main tributary theGreen River,Utah
- Cheat Canyon,West Virginia
- Clifton Gorge,Ohio
- Clifty Canyon,Indiana
- Cloudland Canyon,Georgia
- Columbia River Gorge,OregonandWashington
- Conkle's Hollow,Ohio
- Cottonwood Canyon,Utah
- Crooked River Gorge,Oregon
- Death Hollow,Utah
- Desolation Canyon,Utah
- Dismals Canyon,Alabama
- Flaming Gorge,Wyomingand Utah
- Flume Gorge,New Hampshire
- Glen Canyon,Utah and Arizona
- Glenwood Canyon,Colorado
- Gore Canyon,Colorado
- Grand Canyon,Arizona
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,Wyoming
- Grandstaff Canyon,Utah
- Guffey Gorge,Colorado
- Gulf Hagas,Maine
- Hells Canyon,Idaho,Oregon,andWashington
- Horse Canyon,Utah
- Kern River Canyon,California
- Kings Canyon,Utah
- Kings Canyon,California
- Leslie Gulch,Oregon
- Linville Gorge,North Carolina
- Little Cottonwood Canyon,Utah
- Little Grand Canyon,Illinois
- Little River Canyon,Alabama
- Logan Canyon,Utah
- Mather Gorge,Maryland
- Marysvale Canyon,Utah
- McCormick's Creek Canyon,Indiana
- Millcreek Canyon,Utah
- New River Gorge,West Virginia
- Ninemile Canyon,Utah
- Ogden Canyon,Utah
- Oneonta Gorge,Oregon
- Palo Duro Canyon,Texas
- Parleys Canyon,Utah
- Pine Creek Gorge,Pennsylvania
- Poudre Canyon,Colorado
- Providence Canyon,Georgia
- Provo Canyon,Utah
- Quechee Gorge,Vermont
- Red River Gorge,Kentucky
- Rio Grande Gorge,New Mexico
- Royal Gorge,Colorado
- Ruby Canyon,Utah
- Snake River Canyon,Idaho
- Snow Canyon,Utah
- Stillwater Canyon,Utah
- Tallulah Gorge,Georgia
- Tenaya Canyon,California
- Tennessee River Gorge,Alabama andTennessee
- The Trough,West Virginia
- Unaweep Canyon,Colorado
- Uncompahgre Gorge,Colorado
- Waimea Canyon,Hawaii
- Walls of Jericho,Alabama
- Weber Canyon,Utah
- Westwater Canyon,Utah
- Wolverine Canyon,Utah
- White Canyon,Utah
- Zion Canyon,Utah
Asia
[edit]China
[edit]- Three Gorges,Chongqing
- Tiger Leaping Gorge,Yunnan
- Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon,Tibet Autonomous Region
India
[edit]- Gandikota,Kadapa District,Andhra Pradesh
- Raneh Falls,Chatarpur district,Madhya Pradesh
- Idukki,Western Ghats,Kerala
Indonesia
[edit]Others
[edit]- Afghanistan –Tang-e Gharu
- Iran -Haygher CanyoninFars Province
- Japan –Tenryū-kyōinNagano Prefecture
- Kazakhstan –Charyn Canyon
- Nepal –Kali Gandaki Gorge
- Russia –Delyun-Uran(Vitim River)
- Pakistan -Indus River Gorge through the Himalaya
- Taiwan –Taroko GorgeinHualien County
- Turkey –Ulubey CanyoninUşak Province
- Turkey –Ihlara ValleyinAksaray Province
Europe
[edit]United Kingdom
[edit]- Avon Gorge,Bristol
- Burrington Combe,Somerset
- Cheddar Gorge,Somerset
- Corrieshalloch Gorge,Ullapool
- Ebbor Gorge,Somerset
- Gordale Scar,North Yorkshire
- Winnats Pass,Derbyshire
France
[edit]- Gorges de l'Ardèche,Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Gorges de Daluis,Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Gorges du Tarn,Occitanie
- Grands Goulets,Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Verdon Gorge,Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Ukraine
[edit]Others
[edit]- Albania –Osum Canyon,Kanionet e Skraparit
- Albania/Montenegro –Cem
- Bosnia and Herzegovina –Rakitnica,Drina,Neretva,Vrbas,Unac,Čude,Ugar,Prača,
- Bulgaria –Trigrad Gorge,Kresna Gorge,Iskar Gorge
- Finland –Korouoma Canyon,Kevo Canyon
- Germany –Partnach Gorge
- Greece –Vikos Gorge,Samaria Gorge
- Greenland –Greenland's Grand Canyon
- Iceland –Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Kosovo –Rugova Canyon,White Drin Canyon,Kacanik Gorge
- North Macedonia –Matka Canyon
- Montenegro –Morača,Piva
- Montenegro/Bosnia and Herzegovina –Tara River Canyon
- Montenegro/Serbia –Ibar
- Norway –Sautso Canyon
- Poland/Slovakia –Dunajec River Gorge
- Russia –Sulak Canyon,Dagestan
- Serbia -Lazar's Canyon
- Serbia/Bosnia and Herzegovina –Lim
- Serbia/Romania -Iron Gates
- Slovenia –Vintgar Gorge
- Switzerland –Aare Gorge
Oceania
[edit]Australia
[edit]- Joffre Gorge,Karijini National Park,Western Australia
- Katherine Gorge,Northern Territory
- Kings Canyon,Northern Territory
- Murchison River Gorge,Western Australia
- Jamison Valley,New South Wales
- Capertee Valley,New South Wales – the world's second-widest canyon
- Shoalhaven Gorge,New South Wales
- Werribee Gorge,Victoria
- TheSlot Canyonsof theBlue Mountains,New South Wales
New Zealand
[edit]- Manawatū Gorge,North Island
- Skippers Canyon,South Island
Outer space
[edit]- Ithaca ChasmaonSaturn's moonTethys
- Valles MarinerisonMars,the largest-known canyon in theSolar System
- Vid Fluminaon Saturn's largest moonTitanis the only known liquid-floored canyon in the Solar System besides Earth[15]
- Messina ChasmataonUranus' moonTitania
Venushas many craters and canyons on its surface. The troughs on the planet are part of a system of canyons that is more than 6,400 km long.
See also
[edit]- Antecedent drainage stream– Stream maintaining its original course despite changes in underlying rocks
- Canyoning– Traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques
- Chine– Steep-sided river valley
- Draw (terrain)– Terrain feature formed by two parallel ridges or spurs with low ground in between
- Geomorphology– Scientific study of landforms
- Gully– Landform created by running water and/or mass movement eroding sharply into soil
- Steephead valley– Landform
- Valley– Low area between hills, often with a river running through it
References
[edit]- ^"canon".LexicoUK English Dictionary.Oxford University Press.Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2020.
- ^"canyon".National Geographic Society.20 May 2011.
- ^Ward Cameron (2005)."Understanding Canyon Formation".Archived fromthe originalon 2001-04-25.Retrieved2010-10-07.
- ^Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). .Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ^"kloof - definition of kloof in A Dictionary of South African English - DSAE".dsae.co.za.Retrieved2024-08-06.
- ^ "The Geology of the Grand Canyon".Retrieved2015-10-01.
- ^"box canyon".Encarta World English Dictionary. 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-12-17.Retrieved2009-08-04.
- ^"China Virtual Museums: Canyon".Kepu.net.
- ^"Park Statistics".National Park Service.USA.
- ^Truong, Alice (1 July 2011)."Everything About the Grand Canyon".Discovery Communications.Retrieved5 February2012.
- ^Cohen, Callan; Spottiswoode, Claire & Rossouw, Jonathan (2006).Southern African Birdfinder.Penguin Random House South Africa. p. 210.ISBN978-1-86872-725-4.
- ^"Grand Canyon of Greenland Discovered under Ice".news.discovery.2017-05-10. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-05-11.Retrieved2013-08-30.
- ^Fitzsimons, David (14 December 2015)."Capertee Valley: Australia's own Grand Canyon".Daily Telegraph.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
- ^Kruszelnicki, Karl S. (22 May 2012)."Grand Canyon is not so grand › Dr Karl's Great Moments In Science".ABC Science.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
- ^Poggiali, Valerio; Mastrogiuseppe, Marco; Hayes, Alexander G.; Seu, Roberto; Birch, Samuel P. D.; Lorenz, Ralph; Grima, Cyril; Hofgartner, Jason D. (9 August 2016)."Liquid-filled Canyons on Titan".Geophysical Research Letters.43(15): 7887–7894.Bibcode:2016GeoRL..43.7887P.doi:10.1002/2016GL069679.hdl:11573/932488.S2CID132445293.
External links
[edit]- Canyons and gorgestravel guide from Wikivoyage
- Media related toCanyonsat Wikimedia Commons