Gorge

A gorge is a steep-sided river valley which is very narrow and deep. Most gorges have rocky sides. The river cuts this deep valley by erosion. Gorges are created over thousands of years.

Famous gorges
The Grand Canyon is the best known of all the gorges in the world. It was created by erosion from the Colorado River over thousands of years. The Grand Canyon is 350 kilometres long. It is 1.6 kilometres deep in places, and as much as 25 kilometres wide. The rocky sides drop very steeply.

The Colorado River is very fast flowing, so has plenty of energy for erosion. Often the Colorado River has a reddish colour. This is caused by eroded pieces of rock which are carried in the water.

The Colorado River travelling through part of the Grand Canyon

Other gorges
Not all gorges look the same. They are not always as spectacular as the Grand Canyon. But they are always associated with a fast flowing river.

Rogue River Gorge, Oregon, USA	Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA